Name: Maija Miettinen
Statement: In the past three years I have explored the ambiguous intersection between my paintings and the studio practice in relation to the theories of cultural marginalization, liminality, and power in the global world, but also how at the same time the work emerges from my immigrant reality while not being a reflection of my biography per se. Above all else, on a surface of a painting I aim to infinitely renew the moment of encounter. I perceive the rejection of the illusionistic space creating a perpetual experience of here and now, where the access to the time construct of past, present and future is obstructed. Through the manipulation of allover, dense, pattern- like configurations and the use of competing layers and forms- originating from my cultural heritage, with bold, yet also subtle color variations, I want the paintings to strike the viewer visually as well as viscerally. Where the configurations start falling apart and the imperfection of the hand become visible, I see vulnerability but also delicate tension and confusion. With my recent works I strive to further challenge the viewers' perception of the expanding surfaces and boundaries of a painting. Distinct from the surface are the painted sides, because I invite the viewer to look at the painting from different points of view, drawing attention to the paintingsÕ objecthood, while it is expanding to the space it occupies and ultimately to the viewers themselves.
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority today owns the largest contemporary collection of local art in central Ohio. All of the pieces are on display in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Hilton Columbus Downtown and the three Convention Center parking garages. The collection is the result of a communitywide call for art, overseen by a committee of community members and implemented by collection curators James and Michael Reese of Reese Brothers Productions. The artists represent the diversity of the Columbus community, cutting across age, gender and race.
Made: 2015
Installed: 2016
South Building - Eisenmen Board Room
400 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Venue Website
Spray paint, enamel, acrylic and oil on canvas
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This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
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