Inkeri Makkonen

Basic information

b. 1956, Mikkeli
Visual Artist, Installation Artist, Environmental Artist
Residence: Helsinki

Contact information

Artist’s Statement

Over 45 years, I have built a varied artistic career. I am a landscape painter of long standing, a full-blooded expressionist. My work naturally combines visual art, architecture and music.
Space and rhythm are important in my works.

I am developer of ecological painting techniques.

I have been involved in documenting and interpreting cultural heritage and teaching art since 1980. In my work I have emphasized traditional working methods and ecological materials. The same values are now reflected in the theme of the series of works I have started, "City of Birds".
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Current information

"Paintings of birds and lanscapes" Hirvitalo, Tampere 5.12.25 – 3.1.26 is the first exhibition on the theme "THE CITY OF BIRDS". I paint the life of birds in the city and in areas occupied by humans.

MY DREAM IS A LIVING CITY, where birds also have space to nest, use structures and find natural food.

I WANT TO RAISE SENSE OF EMPATHY FOR CITY BIRDS.
With my work, I also support designers and decision-makers in their efforts to design a diverse city.

Bio

Inkeri Makkonen previously worked as a violin teacher and architect, urban planner. She has been teaching in the fields of architecture, music and visual arts for 45 years.

Makkonen held her debut exhibition at HTS's Gallery Katariina during the Helsinki Festival in 2004. The following year, her work was selected for the 110th exhibition of Finnish Artists. In 2012, Makkonen's work was exhibited at the Olympic Fine Arts - Creative Cities exhibition at the Barbican Center, London.

Makkonen has held solo exhibitions at, among others, Galleria ORTONISSA (invited), Taidesalong (owned by Christina Bäcksbacka), Galleria Aarni, and TM Gallery.
In 2012, Makkonen worked as a consultant for the City of Espoo on the ideation and coordination of urban art for Espoo City Center, including Suvela´s 40 illuminated elevator machine rooms.
Makkonen's works can be found in foundations, the Finnish State, the Helsinki Art Museum, Espoo city, the Olympic Fine Arts Collection (Beijing) and private collections.

Makkonen paints with oil pastels, which he himself makes from oils, waxes and pigments. The interaction between material and subject plays a strong role in Makkonen's work. As a painter, he is a thoroughbred expressionist.

In his work, he emphasizes ecological materials. The same values ​​are evident in the series of works he is currently starting, “City of Birds”.