Riikka Ahlfors
Basic information
b. 1975, Kirkkonummi
Artist
Residence: Helsinki
Contact information
Phone number: +358451222278
Email: riikka@riikkaahlfors.com
Artist’s Statement
The following are excerpts that have been adapted from an essay by Finnish art critic Veikko Halmetoja about Ahlfors’ work:
Ahlfors’ paintings could be discussed purely in terms of abstract art, so smoothly are they linked to the tradition of abstract painting. Yet this would limit a fair interpretation as her paintings, which are based on mundane snapshots she’s taken from various places – often simply taken through a window or from a television screen. Ahlfors uses these photos in a fragmentary way when constructing her paintings, so the views we see don’t represent any one photographic view.
This sort of use of the camera connects Ahlfors with other contemporary painters who similarly acknowledge the huge influence of cinema and photography on contemporary aesthetic thinking and image perception.
Ahlfors is extremely skillful in using colours as composition tools. Her large-scale paintings are balanced combinations of clean and clear colours combined with muted earthy tones. It almost feels that Ahlfors is conducting an orchestra while she paints; her paintings often ‘sound’ as rich as a full symphonic orchestra – and the fierce physicality of her approach to the act of painting is clearly present.
Ahlfors’ paintings could be discussed purely in terms of abstract art, so smoothly are they linked to the tradition of abstract painting. Yet this would limit a fair interpretation as her paintings, which are based on mundane snapshots she’s taken from various places – often simply taken through a window or from a television screen. Ahlfors uses these photos in a fragmentary way when constructing her paintings, so the views we see don’t represent any one photographic view.
This sort of use of the camera connects Ahlfors with other contemporary painters who similarly acknowledge the huge influence of cinema and photography on contemporary aesthetic thinking and image perception.
Ahlfors is extremely skillful in using colours as composition tools. Her large-scale paintings are balanced combinations of clean and clear colours combined with muted earthy tones. It almost feels that Ahlfors is conducting an orchestra while she paints; her paintings often ‘sound’ as rich as a full symphonic orchestra – and the fierce physicality of her approach to the act of painting is clearly present.
Current information
Solo Show @ Gallery Katariina
26.1.-13.2.2022
