Taru Happonen

Taru Happonen

Taru Happonen (b. 1989, Lahti) is a Helsinki-based visual artist working in the expanded field of painting. 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. Her artworks speak of the significance of wonder, viewing the world as it is – complex and constantly changing. Different species, materials, and environments appear in her works as equals.

Happonen’s expression bears figurative elements that partially disintegrate into abstraction. In her works, one can discern references to butterfly wings, aerial views of landscapes, nebulae, or cellular structures. 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. 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.

Location

Uusimaa

Born

1989

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Featured artwork

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.

HormesisTaru Happonen, Hormesis, oil on recycled plastic, 74 cm x 62 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.

CrypsisTaru Happonen, Crypsis, oil and gesso on linen, 180 cm x 140 cm x 4 cm ,2022. 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.

SensoryTaru Happonen, Sensory, oil on recycled plastic, 74 cm x 62 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.

Ice-capped butterflyTaru Happonen, Ice-capped butterfly, oil and pearlescent pigment on linen, frames made of recycled plastic, 76 cm x 63 cm x 4 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.

ParasiteTaru Happonen, Parasite, oil on recycled plastic, 74 cm x 62 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Taru Happonen.

Electric currentTaru Happonen, Electric current, oil on linen, frames made of recycled plastic, 76 cm x 63 cm x 4 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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