JUKKA SUHONEN - Beautiful Stories of Human Suffering

Jukka Suhonen is a visual artist from Joensuu. His works captivate with their vibrant colors and technical prowess, ultimately leading viewers to reflect on human nature.

Suhonen says he is uncomfortable with the word inspiration.

"Rather, it’s about regular work and focus. Living life, being in an open context among people and in society, are the things that drive me to create images. In other words, to express myself. I can't always be an optimist, and a certain sense of being an outsider has marked my existence, my thinking, and my art-making."

Jukka Suhonen shares that he was interested in becoming an artist from a very young age. He spent his time drawing, experimenting with different painting techniques, reading artist biographies, and painting in adult education courses.

"I found myself relating to many expressionist artists like Emil Nolde, Van Gogh, Yrjö Saarinen, and Mauno Markkula, to name a few. During high school, my decision to apply for art school became stronger. I applied to the Kankaanpää Art School and was accepted. After a short three-year education, I became a painter and everything began."

Suhonen is known for his 14 years as an exhibition master at the Joensuu Art Museum. Nowadays, he focuses only on creating art, drawing inspiration from various sources such as books, movies, music, and news. Social interactions also play a significant role in his work. "My dream is to create good works and to develop in my craft."

One of his paintings, titled "Buddha Blues" from 2021, is painted with acrylics on canvas and measures 130x100 cm.

"While creating this painting, I was going through heavy times. My wife was dying after battling breast cancer for eight years. Amidst all the sorrow and confusion, I sometimes thought there were no deities. I live as an atheist and an artist, bringing together in the same image a musical style and a religious figure, which some might find very contradictory. Despite the somber background of the piece, I used bright, aesthetic color contrasts. Perhaps the use of color still brings hope?"

Jukka Suhonen's works have been exhibited in 2024 at Galleria Villa Suruton in Savonlinna, Galleria Uusi Kipinä in Lahti, and Galleria Becker in Jyväskylä. Upcoming exhibitions will be held in July at Galleria KUBU in Kemiönsaari and in September at Galleria Aarni in Espoo.

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