SINI-MERI HEDBERG - Exploring the Depths of Nature Through Art

Sini-Meri Hedberg finds her significant space for creating art at the Taiteen talo (Art house) in Turku, but particularly during the summer, she spends time in Kemi, painting in her small summer studio. The nature of Finnish Lapland, especially the seaside, serves as a significant inspiration for her artworks, which reflect various weather conditions and the closeness to nature.

For Sini-Meri, colors hold immense significance in her paintings.

"As an artist, colors are usually my primary starting point. Through colors, I can express things that are even impossible to speak about; colors serve as interpreters of moods and emotions. I'm interested in the surrounding landscape and nature; in my paintings, I connect observations to landscape elements. While painting, I replicate the movement of life, the feeling of existence. I'm fascinated by the idea that the landscape itself is unattainable, yet simultaneously present and visible."

Movies and literature help her find inspiration. Sini-Meri Hedberg mentions that art history and contemporary art play a significant role in her creative process and the development of her artistic career. "I have been interested in making visual art from an early age and have been practicing it all my life. The uncertainty related to the artist's livelihood prompted me to pursue becoming an artist closer to the age of thirty. I graduated as a visual artist from the Turku Arts Academy in 2004, and since then, I have been actively involved in the field of visual arts; I have held numerous solo exhibitions and been part of art associations."

Sini-Meri's goal is to continue improving her skills in abstract expressionism. Although in the early stages of her career as a painter, she focused on a more classical expression, abstract expressionism has developed alongside everything else, especially in storytelling through landscapes. "I aim for extensive exhibition activity; I hold solo exhibitions and participate in group exhibitions. I dream of working in long residencies, study trips to world art museums and biennials, and of course, I hope for more exhibition activity abroad." In the picture below, the artwork "Breath" (Henkäys) rests on the wall of the Finnish Artist Association's studio house in Marbella.

I asked Sini-Meri to choose her favorite artwork to accompany the blog text. Henkäys (Breath) was painted during a residency in Spain in 2018 (acrylic on canvas, 38 x 46 cm).

"I was at the residency working without a specific theme, more so recovering from the death of a loved one and seeking inspiration for painting. On the way, I pondered a lot about the emotions related to life and death and went through grief. One windy day, I found a new subject: the wind. Its ambiguity wonderfully encapsulated existential questions for me. Additionally, several other paintings were created during the residency, which I continued with a new theme back home. 'Breath' is part of the 'Wind' series, where I examine the nature of the wind. The wind is movement, constant change, and I think of it as a metaphor for existence. The wind is invisible, but it can be observed in moving leaves, waves, landscapes, clouds. While creating the painting series, I have also contemplated what a painting looks like when only the wind is visible, if such a thing is even possible?"

Sini-Meri Hedberg's delightful and captivating selection of artworks is available at Taiko. Remember to request a discount code from Mirai Homes when making your purchase!