Vesa Aaltonen

My inspiration is the passing of time. I am interested in places where human presence can be felt. I am looking for symbolic meanings in surroundings. The starting point for my work can often be found in cultural landscape, the history of art, and architecture – places or things, which have had a deep and lasting influence on people. While the targets of my photography usually turn up naturally, sketching wakes my appetite and determines the direction. Experimenting with subjects is important and a condition for my work. First impression is important. Episodes of the past or the history of a place can play a remarkable role. Sometimes, simply light, colour, form, an old object, or a detail of the nature is enough to spark my interest.

My work changes repeatedly from an abstract landscape to a very archtitectonic infocus presentation. I enjoy experimenting and do not want to repeat myself. My works might seem beautifully presented and polished, but the unstable global situation makes me worry. Time after time, I am faced with my own humanity, questioning the meaning of my artistic work. It is important to be awake, to reflect on happiness, achievement, loss, fear, and disappointement, but also hope and life itself. What is truly relevant is the observation of ones surroundings, to look back every now and then, and to move on.