Markuksela, Eero | Artist Register – Artists’ Association of Finland

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Works available

Yksityisnäyttely 2021, video, Laikku galleria, Tampere, 3 min.

Basic information

b. 1952, Oulu

Visual Artist

Residence: HELSINKI

Contact information

Phone number: +358(0)504989531

Artist's Statement

INTRODUCTION

Artist Eero Markuksela uses the tools of traditional East Asian ink painting. Another culture, it's way of thinking, poetry and way of compiling a picture draws him in. In his art, the marriage of picture and written text occurs.

As I paint outside, I can feel a presence around me and use the full spectrum of my senses. I want to feel, hear, smell and taste what i paint.

My art is a merge of tradition and contemporary, east and west. I'm compelled by Chinese philosophy. In my most known series of work "Legendoissa", I've portrayed the story of poet painters Han-Shan and She-Din. It consists of a seven part series of photographs and ink paintings, that have been juxtaposed with 17th century ink paintings.

My art has been on display in numerous private and joint exhibitions in Finland as well as abroad.

Show biography

2024 17.1-4.2 Private Exhibition at A2 Gallery,Helsinki

2024 Private Exhibition Dongwu Art Institute, City of Suzhou Kiina.

2021 PrivateExhibition Laikku Galleria, City of Tampere

2020 Private Exhibition Luts Gallery, City of Lohja

2020 Private Exhibition at Malmi Gallery, City of Helsinki

2019 Private Exhibition Art Center, City of Valkeakoski

2018 Private Exhibition Wangjiang Art Gallery, China, City of Suzhou

2018 Private Exhibition at Poriginal Gallery, City of Pori

2018 Private Exhibition at Gallery 2, Ciy of Tampere

PUBLICATIONS: New book of mine called "Yi jin huan xiang" 30.10. 2020, Basam Books Previous book of mine

THE GARDEN OF THE ENLIGHTENED CHINESE published 19.5.2018, in the series of publication of Pori Art Museum

METAPHORICAL BELLS was published 26.9.2014, in the series of publication of Pori Art Museum

Bio

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION I’m a visual artist. I live and work in Helsinki, which is the capital city of Finland. The most important thing in my art is painting and writing poems. I graduated from the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts in Finland, in 1988. Some of the key elements in my work are transformations and transitions of time. I have carried out single works as well as installations and different kind of art projects. My medium has been drawing, painting, text and photography and combinations of these. Since 1996 I have been exploring and working on landscapes and had my first exhibition with inkpaintings in 2000. I have had exhibitions in Finland and overseas. I have had four solo exhibitions in China. The first one was in Luoyang ART Museum in 2007, the second one was in Hefei YA Ming Art Museum 2008. The third one was in Huang Shan city Art Museum 2010. The fourth one was in Kenda art museum 2015. I have taken part in many group exhibitions. LEADING THOUGHT OF MY ARTISTIC WORK Most often I paint outdoors. You could call it landscape painting, but I myself prefer the word nature. When I work in nature I can feel the presence of observation and use the whole range of my senses. I want to see, feel, hear and smell the things I’m painting. Since 1996 I have been exploring the techniques of ink painting and I think it is an endlessly interesting way of making art. My art is a happy marriage of tradition and contemporary art — East and West. I’m fascinated by Chinese philosophy and painting tradition. I have studied ink painting in China together with many Chinese painters. It has been a long and interesting process of learning to me. In Finland I have been working in many places. For example there was a very inspiring environment in Western Finland. It was an ancient village beside the river. The place had been inhabited 5000 year ago by seal hunters. I am interested in old places with a long history. Also I painted four summers in northern Finland. There I studied wild roses. The northern light has a very special kind of a character. There is light almost 20 hours during one day. I worked with the rose theme during the years 2001 - 2013. It was a process with many phrases. I depicted the life cycle of a rose. As a result there was large Rose Notes series of paintings. MY TRAVELS IN CHINA I’m working in the territory between traditional and contemporary art. I am interested in studying western and eastern cultures and I would like to discover a dialogue between them. Since year 1997, when I became familiar with eastern tradition on my travel to Japan, I have specialized in ink painting. I have also learned much about eastern cultures, their way of living, their art history and contemporary art. I have done seven travels to China one 2006 and then 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018. My travels has based on cooperation with Chinese artists. I have invited Chinese artists to visit, work and have their exhibitions in Finland. We have shared many things as painters. My interest in Eastern visual culture has a long history. As a young man I read Chinese poems. In my artwork Legends from year 2004 there is depicted the story of Han-Shan and She-Di. I worked with a unique combination of techniques — drawing, painting, photography and writing. These series of art pieces has been presented in many art museums. TEACHING WORKS AND CONFIDENTAL POSTS In addition to working as an artist, I have been teaching art and I have worked as the director of art school. I have worked as a teacher at Helsinki Academy of Fine Art from 2006 to 2010.