Emma Luukkala
Emma Luukkala is a Helsinki-based artist, whose techniques vary from tempera and oil painting to sculptural collages of objects. She is interested in the issues of corporality and materiality of painting.
Luukkala draws the motifs for her works from everyday life. She examines the home environment, fixating on details like textile patterns, furniture legs and belongings burrowed between the sofa cushions. Painted imagery refers to materials around us, while the tangible surfaces of thick paint lead to look at the painting itself as a pile of matter. Messy domestic views painted with care and soft colours suggest to see the mundane with consideration. Items that have been left lying on the table, a pin, a comb, an earplug, keys, a receipt and a rubber band emphasize the importance of small size.
Emma Luukkala graduated from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in 2020. Her recent exhibitions include the solo exhibitions Melska at Jyväskylä Art Museum, Jyväskylä (2021) and Romppeet at Gallery Project Room, Helsinki (2020) and the group exhibition EMERGING 2021 at Galerie Anhava, Helsinki (2021).
Featured artwork
Emma Luukkala, Small, Dear Things IIIOil on canvas, 48 x 40 cm, 2021. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, Small, Dear Things IVOil on canvas, 48 x 40 cm, 2021. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, Small, Dear Things IIOil on canvas, 48 x 40 cm, 2021. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, Lähdin ulos (I went out)Oil on canvas, 48 cm x 40 cm, 2021. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Emma Luukkala, Small, Dear Things VOil on canvas, 48 cm x 40 cm, 2021. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Emma Luukkala, SundayOil, yarn and epox on canvas and socks, 90 cm x 130 cm x 510 cm, 2020. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, MelskaInstallation view, Jyväskylä Art Museum, 2021. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, Letka, detailFurniture legs, pairless socks and other found objects, 10 m x 7 cm x 7 cm, 2021. Photo: Emma Luukkala
Emma Luukkala: Clean is broken IIITempera and oil on board, 31 x 26 cm. Photo: Emma Luukkala.
Emma Luukkala, Clean is broken IITempera and oil on board, 38 x 33 cm. Photo: Emma Luukkala.