Silja Puranen

Basic information

b. 1961, Elimäki
Visual Artist
Residence: Tuusula

Contact information

Artist’s Statement

My artworks merge the political with the poetic, juxtaposing contrasts to create contradictions. They navigate between lightness and oppression, beauty and the grotesque, intertwining humor with melancholy. I create bizarre fables populated by animals and other animate or animated creatures – yet the absence of humanity emphasizes the blindness to the consequences of man's actions, a denial of the inevitable, escape to the role of an outsider.

I wor on a multidisciplinary basis. My repertoire includes videos/animations, installations, and mixed media pieces.

Current information

Exhibitions 2022-2024:

Solo exhibitions:

Gallery Uusi Kipinä, Lahti 9.2.–27.9.2022, POVA – Ostrobothnian Photography Centre, Lapua 23.11.2022–7.1.2023, Gallery Pimento, Oulu 10.5.–4.6.2023, Art Center ITÄ, Lappeenranta 16.11.-9.12.2023, Gallery Becker, Jyväskylä 12.12.2024.–8.1.2025

Group exhibitions:

Leena Illukka – Silja Puranen – Virpi Vesanen-Laukkanen; Galleria Ars Libera, Kuopio 6.6.–26.6.2023, Art Center Ahjo 1.11.–19.11.2023, HAA-Gallery, Helsinki 13.6.–7.7.2024 


Silja Puranen – Eero Lintusaari; "Stories of Time" Taiteilijakoti Erkkola, Tuusula June 4th - September 1st, 2024

Joint exhibitions:

Textila Skikt / Textile Layers, Textilmuseet, Borås (SE) 24.2.–14.5.2023

"The alchemy of time" – Wiurila summer 10th anniversary exhibition 17.6.–27.7.2023

"Überhund – the Fascinating Dogs of Art" Jyväskylä Art Museum 26.05.–01.10.2023; Mikkeli Art Museum 13.10.2023–28.1.2024; Kuopio Art Museum 16.1.–19.5.2024