Kimanen, Maija Pilvikki - Fall

Acrylic, ink on paper.

21 x 30 cm
2025
Maija Pilvikki Kimanen graduated as a visual artist from the Lahti Institute of Fine Arts in 2006. Her works have been exhibited in galleries of artists' associations in various cities, at the Young Artists Exhibition, and at the Outsider Art Festival in the Helsinki Art Museum HAM, as well as in Gallery Rajatila. The artist lives and works in Helsinki.

“For years, I made machines, videos, installations, and sculptures. Now I have returned to where my artistry began: painting and drawing. Previously, the subjects of my works stemmed from funny and positive insights. However, with painting, the themes became harsher: my paintings also address difficult issues such as illness and impermanence. I am interested in the limitations of human senses, mental illnesses, and functional impairments.

I draw a lot from my own life for my works. I tinker with all sorts of things by myself. My older sister once said that others do what they know, Maija does whatever she wants. Techniques that no one has ever used before just need practice. There's no textbook that teaches you about it.”

My collections grow and develop over time. I have found my own technique and way of making art; it cannot be learned from any book, it must be discovered through experimentation. I am very excited about the new sugar-water technique I use with acrylic paint, a stick, water, and ink. In this work, the color begins to spread and does what it wants... it's very interesting. My latest works feature two people; perhaps they are some kind of encounters. The works with many people relate to hallucinations, to the idea that there are many people at home, which can be frightening.

https://www.maijapilvikki.fi/