Toni R. Toivonen
Mother (2022), 2022
Brass and original substances of dead animals
200 x 300 cm / 79 x 118 in
TRTO_210
Toni R. Toivonen
Death is a Painting, 2022
Brass and original substances of a dead animal
126 x 100 cm / 50 x 39 in
TRTO_209
Toni R. Toivonen
Waves, 2022
Aluminum bronze, beeswax
9.50 x 52 x 25 cm / 4 x 21 x 10 in
Edition 1 of 5
TRTO_217_001
Toni R. Toivonen
Into the Inhuman Silence of the Forest, 2020
Copper and original substances of a dead animal
160 x 200 cm/62.99 x 78.74 inches
Toni R. Toivonen
Red Helvet, 2020
Copper and original substances of a dead animal
100 x 150 cm/39.37 x 59.06 inches
Toni R. Toivonen
The Narrative, 2019
Brass and original substances of dead animals
200 x 300 cm / 78.74 x 118.11 inches
TRTO_132
Toni R. Toivonen
Rotten Sun, 2019
Brass and original substances of dead animals
198⌀ cm
TRTO_138
Toni R. Toivonen
Three Crucifixions, 1, 2019
Brass, original substances of a dead animal
300 x 200 cm / 118.11 x 78.74 inches
TRTO_124
Toni R. Toivonen
Sliding Stop, 2018
Brass, original substances of a dead animal
200 x 300 cm / 78.74 x 118.11 inches
TRTO_088
Toni R. Toivonen
Portrait, 2017
Brass, original substances of a dead animal
38.50 x 32 cm / 15.16 x 12.60 inches
TRTO_065
Toni R. Toivonen exhibition 2019
Toni R. Toivonen exhibition 2018
Toni R. Toivonen exhibition 2016
Toni R. Toivonen exhibition 2015
Born in Helsinki 1987 | Lives and works in Helsinki and Hämeenkoski
Toni R. Toivonen examines the duality of life, including conceptions of life and death, body and soul. Starting out with painting, Toivonen worked with different techniques, such as oil and charcoal on canvas and chalk on chalkboard, eventually experimenting towards a more conceptual outcome, using himself or a dead animal as a means of painting. Moving between abstraction and realism, Toivonen's gold-hued brass works depict animals lying on their sides. A dead animal's body breaks down and ceases to exist, but it still leaves its presence on the board of brass. The rotting process is physical and even grotesque, but the trace seared into the brass plate creates a peaceful and dignified aesthetic image. These works reflect the different sides of existence.
Toivonen graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 2016. He won The Art of Basware 2014 global competition. Toivonen's work has been exhibited in Finland, London, and New York, and his work can be found in public collections such as the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, the Saastamoinen Foundation, and the Sara Hildén Museum of Art.
Galerie Forsblom has been representing Toni R. Toivonen since 2015.
Toni R. Toivonen: Madness Invited, September 13–October 12, 2019
Toni R. Toivonen takes part in 'Mostly Happy – Finnish art today' at Haus am Lützowplatz, Berlin.
The exhibition brings out different perspectives on the concept of peace.
You are a recent art graduate, yet despite your young age you have achieved acclaim with your highly original conceptual works which have been exhibited around Finland and at Galerie Forsblom last year. You have also won art awards both in Finland and abroad.Your most recent works are brass plates oxidized by the decomposing corpses of raccoon dogs, cattle and horses.
1. How did you come up with this technique and what does your process mean to you?
Death is concretely present in the works of Toni R. Toivonen (b. 1987). He arranges dead animals on brass plates, the animals' bodily fluids leave their mark. The process of disintegration of the remains is recorded in the metal and something brutally beautiful is thus born.