Saimi Suikkanen
Toolbox Kabinett:
Archi Galentz, Berlin
Welcome: Vernissage / Opening: Friday / Freitag 31.01.2020, 7pm
Open on Sunday 02 February, 2019, 2–6pm
Ausstellungsdauer / Exhibition open: 02 –22 February 2020
Öffnungszeiten / Opening hours: Wed–Sa 3–7pm
An Feiertagen ist die Toolbox geschlossen
On Bank holidays Toolbox is closed
Saimi Suikkanen’s exhibition Having the time of my life displays paintings from a series called “Self-portraits at home”. In the series Suikkanen confronts the viewer with painted pictures of herself imitating the aesthetics and lifestyles of women on social media platforms. As opposed to the often perfectly composed photographs on Instagram, her paintings depict the mundanity of ordinary life with cluttered and messy surroundings. Through imitation and repetition Suikkanen brings the absurdity of selfie culture and the obsession in being on display to the forefront. Her detailed and colourful large scale paintings emphasise humour. Through the series Suikkanen explores her own thoughts and preconceptions related to the ideal of womanhood and being on display. Suikkanen’s work is a mirror of what is seen as normal and appropriate behaviour for a young woman today.
Saimi Suikkanen (b.1994) is a Finnish painter who creates images of the contemporary life of a young woman in the age of social media. In her art she examines current viewpoints on the female body, sexuality and gender roles through a series of non-literal self-portraits. She is currently studying her Master of Fine Arts degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki.
artwork: Self-portrait drinking (cheap) wine, oil on paper, 135 x 175 cm
ToolboxCabinet: Archi Galentz
Archi (Harutiun) Galentz was born in Moscow in 1971 in a family with a long artistic history. In 1988 he got his A-level in Moscow and in 1989 entered the State University of Arts and Theater in Yerevan, Armenia. In 1992 he was invited as a guest student to Berlin University of Arts (UdK Berlin) and studied free art till 1997 obtaining a Master degree. He lives and works in Berlin, Moscow and Yerevan.
A recurrent theme that is central to his artistic work is the question of Armenian identity, especially in relation to political factors such as the demise of the Soviet Union and the resurgence of Armenian awareness. Artwork Archi Galentz: Portrait Jovan Balov, aquatint and line etching reworked with watercolor 24.5 × 16 cm