JR, who is this guy anyway?
Profile
I live in Helsinki, I make art projects, I write, I participate in artist residencies and study constantly new things by attending courses. In recent years, I have been influential as the chair of the board of MUU ry, a Finnish artists association, and also on the board of many other Finnish fine arts organizations.
Strengths
My most important asset in the art field is my long experience, to which my doctoral studiess has brought an analytical and theoretical basis. I have been an artist since I turned twenty-five, first as an actor in a professional theater, then as a musician, later also as a teacher. For a while I also worked as a gallerist in an art gallery.
I graduated from the University of Helsinki with a Master of Philosophy in Musicology, and at the same time I studied composition at the Sibelius Academy. Soon, media art and doing research got me excited, and I realized my extensive Sormina art project as part of my doctorate studies at Aalto University.
Artist
In the spring of 2024, I participated in the Villa Karo artist residency in West Africa, which produced a variety of art and new connections. In 2023, I held a visual art exhibition in Tampere, featuring a video work.
In 2020 I performed in the experimental music concert series and in 2019 at the Kallio Contemporary Music Festival. I participated in the Saari Manor residency in 2019. In the same year I published a collection of poems. I performed a solo number at the Kuopio Dances and Sounds Festival in 2018. In 2017 my poem won an award in a competition, and I performed my own dance number at the Caisa Cultural Center in 2016.
Values
The task of an artist is to act as a mirror of society but also to produce joy and experiences. One must strive to be honest, listen to his own inner voice. However, works of art can only tell about the world of art. No art form is better than another. Culture is a broad concept, but art is an important part of it.
Hobbies
In addition to art, I am interested in history and the present and future of my hometown, Helsinki. I cycle a lot, I write every day. I enjoy spending time with other people, sitting in cafes, and taking various courses.
"Art can be fun"
"Don't get stuck on one thing."
"A human being is full of surprises!