Jefunne Gimpel

Petri Ala-Maunus

Petri Ala-Maunus (b.1970) is well-known for his landscape paintings, which, at a first glance, look like romantic pastoral scenes from the 19th century. In his paintings, the majestic scenes have become larger and more impressive than reality. The works, executed with great attention to detail, have a distinctive colour palette, sometimes limited to three or four tones, sometimes even to just black and white.

These paintings depict nature as something untouched and paradise-like, showing no people or human handprints. However, in some of the works, Ala-Maunus breaks the illusion by adding drips or garish colour that stand out from the rest of the painting, or leaves parts of the surface unpainted to highlight natural forces and dramatic terrain. The Ă¼bernatur (supernature) captured in the artist’s works refers to an imaginary landscape before or after humankind, either at the dawn of times or the final destruction.

The landscapes of Petri Ala-Maunus have been inspired by the 19th century German and North American landscape painting along with sundry sources of popular culture from typical metal album cover art to New Age themed Utopia illustrations. Ala-Maunus interest in popular music, steaming from experiences in his youth, can be seen in the content of his video work as well as in his paintings.

Location

Uusimaa

Born

1970

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Featured artwork

NebelmeerPetri Ala-Maunus, Nebelmeer, Oil on Canvas, 270 cm x 200 cm x 4 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Encanted ForestPetri Ala-Maunus, Encanted Forest, Oil on Canvas, 160 cm x 190 cm x 3 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Will-o-the-WispPetri Ala-Maunus, Will-o-the-Wisp, Oil on Canvas, 160 cm x 190 cm x 3 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Escape from EdenPetri Ala-Maunus, Escape from Eden, Oil on Canvas, 160 cm x 190 cm x 3 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Toile de JourPetri Ala-Maunus, Toile de Jour, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 200 cm x 150 cm x 3 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Cosmic OceanPetri Ala-Maunus, Cosmic Ocean, Oil on Wood, 25 cm x 25 cm x 22 cm ,2022. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Die Grosse IllusionPetri Ala-Maunus, Die Grosse Illusion, Oil on Canvas, 200 cm x 600 cm x 3 cm ,2020. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

History and Utopia of LandscapePetri Ala-Maunus, History and Utopia of Landscape, Oil on Canvas, 270 cm x 1400 cm x 4 cm ,2019. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Uncanny ValleyPetri Ala-Maunus, Uncanny Valley, Oil on Canvas, 200 cm x 230 cm x 3 cm ,2019. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

The Story of Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear WasPetri Ala-Maunus, The Story of Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was, Oil on Canvas, 200 cm x 230 cm x 3 cm ,2019. Photo: Jefunne Gimpel.

Curriculum Vitae

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