Loviisa Tala

June 13th until August 27th 2023

"Human Portraits via Mechanics" by Loviisa Tala

Sturdy machines come to life as saturated portraits. Each work of art is like a metaphoric one-panel comic. The stories and inner worlds of the person depicted are told through colours and parts of the engine - reframed as recognisable symbols.

Throughout my artistic process, I dive deep into the world of the person portrayed. I delve into their interests, their stories and their nonverbal communication. I interview, listen, write and quiet down. I throw myself into their realities, wanting to convey their stories and yearning to fully understand my subjects.

Every detail and every colour reveals something about the individual behind the engine. By pausing to explore my pieces, one can traverse someone else's world while discovering something about oneself.

What would YOU look like as an engine? What is your story?

Loviisa Tala (b.1987) is a visual artist based in Helsinki. Machinery and industrial landscapes have been present in her work for years. Their beauty continues to fascinate her to this day. Ultimately, the curiosity towards the nature of humans as a species lies at the heart of her art. What are we like and what will become of us?