Tiina Heiska
Has something happened or will something happen soon? Tiina Heiska’s paintings pose questions but they do not give easy answers. Heiska’s paintings are based on photography and cinematography. The images she uses as a draft for her paintings can be stills from films or photos taken by herself. Heiska shamelessly seduces a viewer. By using female accessories and dressing-up Heiska plays with identity, sexuality, desire, age and gender.
Even though Heiska’s paintings may leave you with an uneasy feeling, they satisfy you with the mastery of painting technique. In her paintings, she depicts the human condition, our contact with ourselves and existence. Systematically and with a firm hand, Heiska constructs a dramatic tension that forces us to consider the origin of the depicted scenes and spaces and our own connection to them.
Tiina Heiska (b. 1959) lives and works in Helsinki. She graduated from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in 1987 and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 2001. She has exhibited in several group and solo exhibitions in Finland and abroad. Heiska’s work is represented in a number of Finnish art and museum collections, such as HAM Helsinki City Art Museum, Sara Hildén Art Museum, Saastamoinen Foundation, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation’s Collection, among others.
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Featured artwork
Satin DressTiina Heiska, Satin Dress, oil on canvas, 55 cm x 43 cm x 2 cm ,2024. Photo: Tiina Heiska.
Strange GardenTiina Heiska, Strange Garden, oil on canvas, 80 cm x 100 cm x 2 cm ,2023. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
BlackcurrantsTiina Heiska, Blackcurrants, oil on canvas, 33 cm x 40 cm x 2 cm ,2024. Photo: Tiina Heiska.
MistTiina Heiska, Mist, oil on canvas, 130 cm x 190 cm x 3 cm ,2023. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
DazzleTiina Heiska, Dazzle, oil on canvas, 120 cm x 160 cm x 3 cm ,2023. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Covering Darkness With GreenTiina Heiska, Covering Darkness With Green, oil on canvas, 50 cm x 45 cm x 2 cm ,2023. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
PassageTiina Heiska, Passage, oil on canvas, 70 cm x 55 cm x 2 cm ,2023. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Fantasy of Violence (Coachmen)Tiina Heiska, Fantasy of Violence (Coachmen), oil on canvas, 140 cm x 210 cm x 3 cm ,2020. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
DriftTiina Heiska, Drift, oil on canvas, 180 cm x 190 cm x 3 cm ,2020. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
Dancing ShoesTiina Heiska, Dancing Shoes, oil on canvas, 45 cm x 50 cm x 2 cm ,2022. Photo: Tiina Heiska.
CherriesTiina Heiska, Cherries, oil on canvas, 140 cm x 210 cm x 3 cm ,2020. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.
ButterflyTiina Heiska, Butterfly, oil on canvas, 110 cm x 80 cm x 2 cm ,2018. Photo: Jussi Tiainen.