Taru Happonen
Taru Happonen (b. 1989, Lahti) is a Helsinki-based visual artist working with paintings, sculptures, and drawings. She graduated with a Master’s degree in 2023 from the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of the Arts Helsinki.
In her works, Happonen examines the environment and organisms from both microscopic proximity and cosmic scales. Natural sciences and science fiction have influenced her works. The expression bears figurative elements that partially disintegrate into abstraction. Patterns found in nature at various scales are recurring elements in the works. She employs a wide range of materials in her artworks, including oil paint, recycled plastic, mineral resin, epoxy, linen, metal, and pearlescent pigments. Organic and synthetic elements are intricately intertwined.
Her artworks speak of the significance of wonder, viewing the world as complex and constantly changing. The various patterns, forms, and materials in her works create links between each other – highlighting the unity of life, continuity, and the deep layers of time.
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Featured artwork
Reflex bleedingTaru Happonen, Reflex bleeding, oil, acrylic, pearl pigment on linen, 120 cm x 100 cm x 5 cm ,2024. Photo: Angel Gil.
Electric circuitTaru Happonen, Electric circuit, acrylic, aluminum powder, marble dust, pearl pigment on linen, 120 cm x 100 cm x 5 cm ,2024. Photo: Angel Gil.
Taxidermy scrapsTaru Happonen, Taxidermy scraps, oil, acrylic, aluminum powder, marble dust, pearl pigment on linen, 200 cm x 230 cm x 6 cm ,2024. Photo: Angel Gil.
Compound eyeTaru Happonen, Compound eye, acrylic, aluminium dust, marble dust on linen, 120 cm x 100 cm x 5 cm ,2025. Photo: Angel Gil.
Reptilian humanoidTaru Happonen, Reptilian humanoid, oil, acrylic, iridescent pigment, gneiss powder, marble dust on linen, 150 cm x 180 cm x 5 cm ,2024. Photo: Angel Gil.
Tongue 3Taru Happonen, Tongue 3, aluminum powder, mineral resin, epoxy, 61 cm x 79 cm x 58 cm ,2024. Photo: Taru Happonen.
Mother of pearlTaru Happonen, Mother of pearl, Mineral resin, acrylic paint, epoxy, pearlescent pigment, metal, 125 cm x 105 cm x 62 cm ,2023. Photo: Taru Happonen.
HoneyTaru Happonen, Honey, Mineral resin, acrylic paint, epoxy, 9 cm x 103 cm x 93 cm ,2023. Photo: Taru Happonen.
Algae lugnTaru Happonen, Algae lugn, Mineral resin, acrylic paint, epoxy, pearlescent pigment, metal, 28 cm x 98 cm x 36 cm ,2023. Photo: Taru Happonen.
CrypsisTaru Happonen, Crypsis, oil and gesso on linen, 180 cm x 140 cm x 4 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.
SensoryTaru Happonen, Sensory, oil on recycled plastic, 74 cm x 62 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.
HormesisTaru Happonen, Hormesis, oil on recycled plastic, 74 cm x 62 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.
Taru Happonen, An invasive speciesPainting installation. Exhibited in the group exhibition Ebb and Flow at Kuva/Tila gallery at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki. Photo: Aukusti Heinonen
Taru Happonen, An invasive species (detail)Painting installation. Exhibited in the group exhibition Ebb and Flow at Kuva/Tila gallery at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki.
Taru Happonen , An invasive species (detail)Painting installation. Exhibited in the group exhibition Ebb and Flow at Kuva/Tila gallery at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki.
Curriculum Vitae
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9.11.2024-12.1.2025
Taru Happonen – Taxidermy Surfaces
HAM Gallery is presenting an exhibition featuring artwork by Taru Happonen.
In this exhibition, Happonen explores a complex, constantly changing world and blends sci-fi with real-world elements. The exhibition features artwork in which Happonen uses a variety of materials, including pearlescent pigments, aluminum powder, oil paint, marble dust, and mineral resin, blending elements of both painting and sculpture.
The exhibition features soundscapes alongside visual artwork. The soundscape was created in collaboration with composer Tapio Viitasaari.
HAM, the Helsinki Art Museum, is owned by the City of Helsinki and organizes several exhibitions each year.
HAM Gallery, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, 00100 Helsinki