Eeva Peura: Myrhh and Noir
Galerie Forsblom, October 20–November 19, 2023
Eeva Peura’s latest exhibition celebrates not one but an abundance of recurring motifs. A profusion of elements spills forth simultaneously, from undersea vistas and decorative interiors to flora, fauna and feminine figures. Some elements tie into a narrative, while others emanate purely from the artist’s inner world. Giving free rein to the caprices of the process and the layering of her images, Peura’s narrativity presents itself as a form of lyrical restlessness. Sometimes she draws inspiration from a memory, whether of a Parisian cinema, a pearl farm in Halong Bay, or occasionally a color or an image she has seen somewhere. She also draws from a wide spectrum of emotions, from melancholy and despondency to sensuality and playfulness. By painting out her feelings, she links her narratives to the sensory world – painting is, after all, a fundamentally sensory experience. The artist sees painting as a form of building, an evolving process of taking steps forward and backward, continually reshaping the façade of the canvas, much like replastering a wall. In the end, however, the most important aspect of the process is the pleasure it brings.
For Peura, the task of the artist is to uncover truths and unravel subtle clues, like a detective solving a crime. Each painting begins with a mystery. The painting then gradually comes together, clue by clue, detail by detail. Over time, as the process unfolds, the composition takes shape and finds its identity. Time is an important element for Peura, who is in the habit of leaving her paintings unfinished for as long as a whole year. Each piece takes shape slowly, over a long period of time, with the artist carefully observing its process of becoming, which necessitates the ability to tolerate imperfection and discomfort. The artist wants the viewer to slow down and take in the details, brushstrokes, and layers – and thereby experience the passage of time and feel the artist’s presence.
Eeva Peura (b. 1982) graduated as a painting major from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in 2011. She has presented her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Finland, including the Mänttä Art Festival and Turku Art Museum. In 2019, she was the recipient of the William Thuring Foundation Prize. Her work is represented in many of Finland’s most prestigious art collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Turku Art Museum and Vantaa Art Museum Artsi.