Merja Salonen Di Giorgio
Basic information
b. 1973, Tampere
Visual Artist, Painter
Residence: Helsinki
Contact information
Email: mail(at)merjasdg.net
Artist’s Statement
I have a great interest of traces of human life in cultural environment, athmosphere of place, ´genius loci´, and layers of history. Also the idea of Grand Tour is fascinating. -Where was the point at which the exotic became homely and homely became exotic?
For the past 20 years, I have been living between the Finnish and the Italian culture. That influences my approach greatly. I am in both of them simultaneously and I if I wish, I can observe their phenomena as an outsider, too.
During the painting process, I find it important to be open and give space for the ´speechless´ so that the invisible can come visible in the work. As main techniques I use oil on canvas and mixed media on paper. The historical materials and techniques are important and I use them with a new twist. The material becomes an issue per se and gives another conceptual layer to the body of work.
I have had tens of solo exhibitions since 1996, out of which more than ten in Helsinki: Gallery Katariina, Gallery Uusitalo, Gallery G12, Taidesalonki / Konstsalongen.
Three books have been published about my art: Helsinki in Florence, Florence in Helsinki (2003), Grand Tour (2014) and Roihupelto-Pompeii -between two worlds (2023).
I have also made commissioned environmental pieces in Helsinki: the Garden and the Piers. In Finnish Painters´Union I have ordinary membership.
My work is found in the collections of the City of Helsinki, the Lahti Art Museum and Kuntsi Modern Art Museum, Vaasa. In private collections my paintings can be found in European countries and also in the U.S.A. and in Australia.
For more, see: www.merjasdg.net
For the past 20 years, I have been living between the Finnish and the Italian culture. That influences my approach greatly. I am in both of them simultaneously and I if I wish, I can observe their phenomena as an outsider, too.
During the painting process, I find it important to be open and give space for the ´speechless´ so that the invisible can come visible in the work. As main techniques I use oil on canvas and mixed media on paper. The historical materials and techniques are important and I use them with a new twist. The material becomes an issue per se and gives another conceptual layer to the body of work.
I have had tens of solo exhibitions since 1996, out of which more than ten in Helsinki: Gallery Katariina, Gallery Uusitalo, Gallery G12, Taidesalonki / Konstsalongen.
Three books have been published about my art: Helsinki in Florence, Florence in Helsinki (2003), Grand Tour (2014) and Roihupelto-Pompeii -between two worlds (2023).
I have also made commissioned environmental pieces in Helsinki: the Garden and the Piers. In Finnish Painters´Union I have ordinary membership.
My work is found in the collections of the City of Helsinki, the Lahti Art Museum and Kuntsi Modern Art Museum, Vaasa. In private collections my paintings can be found in European countries and also in the U.S.A. and in Australia.
For more, see: www.merjasdg.net
Current information
See also:www.merjasdg.net
IG @merjasalonendigiorgio
UPCOMING
Sept. 3rd - 27th 2026
Between two wordls, with Petra Giacomelli
Alppigalleria
Viipurinkatu 31, Helsinki
ONGOING
Tuoksuvia Puita / Scented trees
Jan 3rd - March 31st 2026
Home Hotel Jugend,
Open during the opening hours of the hotel.
Curated by the Helsinki Artists´Association
- Warmly welcome!
PAST
Runsaudensarvi / Cornucopia
a collective exhibition in ALPPIGALLERIA
November 14th - December 14th 2025
Viipurinkatu 31, Helsinki, Finland
www.alppigalleria.fi
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Four Ways
Alppigalleria
August 1 st -31 rd 2025
Viipurinkatu 31, Helsinki
Anne- Mari Alrsumi
Merja Salonen Di Giorgio
Joonas Sirvio
Heli Tuhkanen
Fri-Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm
Opening July 31 rd at 6 pm
www.alppigalleria.fi
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Jubileum Feast
August 2nd - 31 st 2025
Group exhibition by Taidekortteli ry / Art Block Association at
Strömfors ironworks, Loviisa, Finland
The exhibition is open every day 10 am - 6 pm
Opening August 1 st at 6 pm
Welcome!
The Art Block Association was founded in Roihupelto, Helsinki, in October 2015. In the exhibition the re are 35 artists.
https://stromforsinruukki.com/en/
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Paintings at restaurant Rytmi, Helsinki
March 3rd - April 26th 2025
https://rytmi.net/
Toinen linja 2, Helsinki
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Taidemaalariliitto x Skanno
Painters´Union goes Skanno interior design shop in Helsinki.
Ongoing until June 2025.
Erottajankatu 2, Helsinki, Fnland
Free entrance during the opening hours of Skanno.
Mon.-Fri. 10 am - 6 pm
Sat. 10 am - 5 pm
https://skanno.fi/
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Paintings available at eko beauty salon Terra Te Amo
Albertinkatu 17, Helsinki Feb 9 th - July 13 rd 2025
Open on request.
book to see it: 044 9766833
https://www.terrateamo.fi/
The Sales Event of Finnish Painters´Union
March 8th - 16th 2025
Mon - Fri 12 am - 8 pm
Sat - Sun 11 am -5 pm
Kaapelitehdas, Merikaapelihalli, Helsinki
- You can take the purchased artworks with you right away.
Free entrance, welcome!
https://teosvalitys.painters.fi/tapahtuma/
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Oct. 4 - 24, 2024
Autumn Salon at TM Gallery and online
https://teosvalitys.painters.fi/taiteilija/merja-salonen-di-giorgio/
Finnish Painters´Union, TM Gallery, Erottajankatu 9, 00130 Helsinki
Free entrance. -Welcome!
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Sept. 7th - 8th
Open Doors´ exhibition at Taidekortteli / Art Block
Levytie 4A, Roihupelto Helsinki
Meet the artist Sat. 14 -17 & Sun 13 - 17.
The event is part of Konstrundan event and there is a lot to see in the Taidekortteli / Art Block area during the weekend.
See www.konstrundan.fi for more info.
Free entrance, warmly welcome!
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Luovuus ITÄä
June 13 rd - August 18th 2024.
Taidekortteli ry / Art Block Group Exhibition at
Stoa Culture Center, Turunlinnantie 1, Itäkeskus, Helsinki.
Opening: June 12 nd at 5-8 pm.
-Welcome!
Meet the artists on August 15th 2024.
open: Mon-Thu 8 am - 8 pm, Fri 8 am - 6 pm, Sat 10 am - Sun 12 am - 6 pm.
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Helsinki Artists´Association has in the Art Lending space next to the Rikhardinkatu Library, Rikhardinkatu 3, Helsinki a summer ehibition
Summer Blues - from June 13rd 2024
I partecipate with Forma dell´acqua VII, oil on linen.
https://taidelainaamo.fi/public/go.php?action=artist&artist_id=105717&sel=26
Welcome!
opening hours:
https://taidelainaamo.fi/public/go.php?
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URBANA HORTUS, May 8th. - 26th, 2024, Helsinki Artists´Association collective exhibition in Ahjo, Joensuu. Opening on May 7th 2024.
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March 8th - 17th 2024 at the Cable Factory, HelsinkiKaapelitehdas, Merikaapelihalli
Tallberginkatu 1 c, 00180 Helsinki
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Helsinki Artists´Association has in their Art Lending space next to the Rikhardinkatu Library, Helsinki an ehibition ´Siirappia` - ´Syrup´ from Dec. 14 2023 to Jan 14th 2024.
I partecipate with Aria dolce a Natale, oil on canvas, 2022.
Welcome!
https://taidelainaamo.fi/public/go.php?action=artist&artist_id=105717
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The book Roihupelto - Pompeii (PARVS)
was published in May 2023
https://parvs.fi/kirjat/roihupelto-pompeji/
Merja Salonen Di Giorgio is a painter who explores the layeredness of history and the traces left by humans in our cultural heritage. Roihupelto–Pompeii is a series of paintings featuring two places that hold personal significance for the artist: a 1970s semi-industrial precinct in east Helsinki and the ancient city of Pompeii on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. The paintings were inspired by the dialogue emerging between these two places which, upon closer examination, have surprisingly much in common. Salonen Di Giorgio examines her theme through the lens of loss, from a future perspective – looking back after irreversible change and destruction have already occurred. The text is authored by architect and visual artist Anu Kaisa Koponen, who reflects on the connections between the paintings and architecture. Her essay is accompanied by art historian Synnöve Malmström's interview with the artist, which takes an in-depth look at how the paintings came into being.
article about the exhibition and the book Roihupelto-Pompei by Hannele Salminen (in Finnish):
http://kirjasta-kirjaan.blogspot.com/2023/05/merja-salonen-di-giorgio-roihupelto.html
