Press "Enter" to skip to content

Interview with Visual Artist Camilla Vuorenmaa


Hi Camilla. We would like to get to know you. Can you tell us about yourself?

I am 43 years old, currently living in Helsinki. I am originally from Tampere, from a single parent family. I grew with one brother and mother, I also met as an adult my two stepsisters. I studied art in the Art Academy of Helsinki from 2000 to 2005, it was a big change to move to Helsinki. Besides Tampere and Helsinki, I have lived also in Kankaanpää, Espoo and Glasgow.

When and how did you start painting?

I started very early age drawing and painting, and in the age of 7 I  sead to my teacher that I want to be an artist. I was always on a school class that had some visual teaching, so it was very natural to apply to arts school when I was 19 years old. In college I painted on what ever I could find, found objects, with any kind of paint I got my hands to. One time I got some paints from an old church renovation and made two works with them. Maybe that experience left me with urge to use light blue in many works.

Camilla Vuorenmaa_Dark side Leia_2022_credit_Jussi-Tiainen_HC8754 kopio
Camilla Vuorenmaa Dark side Leia 2022 credit Jussi Tiainen
(Photo: Jussi Tiainen)

Can you tell us about your work and, what inspires you when painting?

My works are glimpses of the moments when internal movement takes place.

The main theme of my work is the experience of the individual and the struggle for survival that reflects the phenomena of time and history. As broader phenomena, I am interested in generational experiences and human activities as part of a group. I’ve always tried to create characters that are open to interpretations and, for instance, let the viewer decide the gender of the subject.

In the past, I have studied the cultures of the fishermen and of the athletes. Animals like sheep have also become part of my photo gallery. The symbolism associated with animals and the relationship with humans runs strongly as part of human history.

Camilla Vuorenmaa_Hide and seek_2022_credit_Jussi Tiainen_HC8753
Camilla Vuorenmaa Hide and seek 2022 credit Jussi Tiainen
(Photo: Jussi Tiainen)

The choice of materials is an important part of the nature of my work and the beginning of the process. The use of materials and techniques vary. Mostly I find subjects for my work through photography, and these photographs serve as sketches for my paintings. Mainly I work on painting on wood panels and painting installations.

Documentation and research are how I begin each project. I browse through old magazines and books. I’m inspired for example by visits I’ve made to late authors’ houses. Narratives and storytellers behind the narratives interest me. I’m also inspired by popular culture, horror and science fiction films, family dramas and biographies. I contemplate how history is repeated in modern phenomena and how the entertainment industry has taken part in the narrative continuum.

Lately I have been inspired by my childhood movie heroes like Princess Leia in Starwars and Ellen Ripley in Alien saga. In my last show I was reflecting these heroes to my own childhood experiences.

1.Yleiskuva  I promised ja you can feel
I promised to come back for her birthday and You can feel safe now 2022
(Photo: Jussi Tiainen)

Are there any other artists in your family?

Well I was always encouraged to do art, even my mom worked at social service and retired early because of illness. My mother was a literature fan and wrote sometimes, but just as a hobby. My brother is writing about films in his blogs. My grandfathers father had some elderly folk music members, but no visual artists.

What do you do besides painting?

Mostly I just do art, but sometimes I also review graduate art students works.

Lately I have been widening my artistic work to audiovisual side, but that is still very new territory for me. I am also doing one writing project with my colleague.

Artist Camilla Vuorenmaa
Artist Camilla Vuorenmaa
(Photo: Leena Ylä-Lyly)

Do you have any projects that you plan to realize?

At the moment I am working for a solo exhibition to Hämeenlinna art museum that opens up at October 2023. During the spring, I am also having an solo exhibition and at Finlandia University gallery at Hancock Michigan. In the autumn I will also participate a group show at Rovaniemi gallery Napa. In December 2023 I will go to an C.A.P artist residency near Kyoto, Japan for two months.

https://camillavuorenmaa.com

https://www.instagram.com/camillavuorenmaa/


Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *