Interview with sculptor Jenni Tieaho
Hi Jenni, You have exhibited in numerous different locations, what is the difference to exhibit outdoors, indoors, white cube or museum?
“I feel that the environment has a profound impact on my works; the same piece transforms into something entirely different when placed outdoors versus indoors. Outside, the living, constantly shifting light carries the work through countless moods. The wind, the humidity in the air, and the surrounding soundscape weave their own layers into the story of the piece. An interior space is often a white, unchanging cube, lacking the glow, vibration, and scents of the surrounding environment.“
How do you translate personal experiences of nature into visual form?
“Nature feels like a second nationality to me, also through the very materials I use in my works. I gather my materials from nature and often work outdoors at the edge of the forest. When working outside, I live according to the light: I begin at sunrise and stop at sunset. Living by natural light creates a sense of safety and clear boundaries. In my process, nature surrounds me: the feeling of wind on my skin, the temperature, the light, the soundscape, all of these support my presence while working. In this way, I am never alone; the surrounding nature sustains me, something I can simply merge into.”
What are the main goals or messages you hope to convey through your art?
“A sense of strength, of the shared energy within us, of the flowing vitality of life rising from deep within ourselves. Of the necessity of gentleness. Of the subconscious that carries us, into which we can dive and explore. Of the thrilling nature of life upon the ruins of its madness. Of the necessity of imagination, even for survival itself.”
You’ve described your practice as a slow, collaborative process between artist and material: how does this “thinking through the hands” approach influence your relationship with nature and your artistic outcomes?
“Thinking through the hands lies at the core of my practice. By creating with our hands, we grasp the incomprehensible and create connections between different worlds. Working with our hands profoundly affects our brains, creating new neural pathways. Manual work refreshes, calms, and creates safety and meaning. It seems to lie at the very core of our human existence. Working with the hands enables the construction, experience, and understanding of other realities.”
How do you see your artistic practice evolving in the future, especially in relation to environmental or nature-related themes?
“I hope to create an ever stronger sense of presence in my work, greater sensitivity, and a deeper partnership with natural materials. Different environments deeply fascinate me: gardens with their varying atmospheres, urban spaces with their structures, forgotten wastelands, places where environmental art creates new connections with its surroundings.”
You mentioned ambitions to exhibit in botanical gardens across Europe: how do these international contexts support your long-term artistic vision and career development?
“One particularly thrilling dream is to bring my environmental art exhibitions to botanical gardens across Europe. How would mythical figures woven from forest materials communicate within these extraordinary gardens? How would my environmental artworks built from pinecones, willow branches, birch bark, tree bark, and ferns, and realized through an extremely time-consuming technique my “Myrrykset” (“Storms”), “Suojelijat” (“Guardians”), and spirit animals create alternate realities within the most beautiful gardens of Europe?”
Jenni Tieaho’s works at Slow Art Gallery, Korkeavuorenkatu 2b, F-entrance courtyard, 3rd floor. Jenni Tieaho present at the exhibition from 2pm – 6pm on the 12th of June.
Open on 12th of June at 10 – 6pm, final day Sunday 14th 11 – 4pm. Welcome!
Jenni’s website: