Hong Liu-Sertti

Works available

Espoon Taidelainaamo Jyväskylän Taidelainaamo Galleria Kookos

Basic information

b. 1974, Kiina

Painter, art teacher

Residence: Espoo

Contact information

Email: hong.liu-sertti (( a )) hlsart.fi

Artist’s Statement

Two decades ago, I journeyed from China to Finland, forging a profound bond with my second home. My bicultural background fuels my art, intertwining Chinese and Finnish perspectives in harmonious interplay.
My paintings unfold the human-nature relationship, fostering cross-cultural respect. They reframe universal values and shed light on human existence. Blending traditional Chinese techniques with contemporary expression, I enrich the art world with multicultural dimensions.

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Current information

2024 solo exhibition The Forest of Kalevala IV - Kalevalan Metsä IV, Helsinki Art Center CAISA gallery

Works from the artist

Name of the work: Väinämöisen voitto Joukahaisesta

Name of the work: Ilmarinen nappaa hauen

Name of the work: Pohjolan tyttö valitsee Ilmarisen

Name of the work: Taistelu Louhea vastaan

Name of the work: Värinämöinen ja Vipunen

Name of the work: Väinämöinen kasvattaa metsän

Name of the work: Lemminkäinen syntyy uudelleen

Name of the work: Ilmatar synnyttää Väinämöisen

Bio

I'm a Chinese artist who moved to Finland almost 20 years ago. My art blends traditional Chinese techniques with modern expression, exploring the connection between people and nature and promoting cultural respect. I've had over 80 exhibitions worldwide, including solo exhibitions at the gallery of Pori Art Museum in Finland, as well as The South China Art Museum.

Living in Finland, I was inspired by the myths of Kalevala, their epic folklore. A few years ago, while reading a Chinese version of Kalevala, I imagined Ilmatar dancing in the sea waves. This inspiration led to my painting series 'Kalevala metsä - The forest of Kalevala,' which consists of 64 paintings and was displayed in Galleria Kookos Helsinki in 2021, Galleria Becker in Jyväskylä in 2022, and Galleria Aarni in Espoo in 2023. The series resonated with diverse audiences, especially young people, and received positive attention, even being featured in Keskisuomalainen and Suomenopettajat. Some works were chosen for Wiurila's summer exhibition in 2023. The final part of the painting series will be exhibited in Helsinki's CAISA gallery in 2024.

My goal is to give a fresh twist to classical literature. Using the traditional Gongbi style, I portray human figures and intricate details on special paper. I also experiment with techniques like blank-leaving, watercolor wash, and gilding. By mixing in Chinese calligraphy poems, my art breathes new life into Kalevala-related stories, offering a blend of tradition and innovation.