series of exhibitions “Puusüü” / “The Woodgrain”

story behind the exhibitions

Every artist knows how much the material on which the work is created means to the experience of creation.

It is a completely different feeling to paint on white fabric or on natural plywood already full of patterns and shapes.

Plywood as a base material has been used in my paintings throughout my time as an artist. Although I have used it very sporadically, I can still call it my favorite material.

I consciously stopped painting on canvas a few years ago when I started experimenting with the possibilities of fire and tree cooperation. 

Of course, these are not equal partners, and so the wood does not have the slightest chance against fire. As a cautious negotiator, I try to tame the stronger party to avoid total chaos.

It was my practice to make preparatory sketches before starting the paintings on the burnt plywood boards. I used to plan the compositions of the artworks quite precisely before starting to paint. However, I’ve always understood that the process of painting itself is just as important as the result. Surprises during the workprocess and at the end are the ones that give the matter a special pleasure and excitement.

By burning wooden boards, I have almost completely given up planning paintings. I found that the paintings have started to compose themselves. Some of the images that emerged from the heat are even so disturbingly obvious and aggressive that it seems impossible to ignore them. It’s even like giving away part of your artistic freedom.

For example, before any color was added, the tree and the forest had already established themselves as one main character in the two pieces from the exhibition, In the Woods and The Wild Ones.