OUR MEMBERS
Search alphabetically by surname or browse and get to know our talented community of members
SARI SAARENNEVA
PAINTING
Finnish visual artist Sari Saarenneva specializes in abstract landscapes, utilizing acrylics and modern mediums on canvas or Plexiglass. Her work creates ethereal scenes characterized by unique textures and an intriguing, tactile depth. Deeply rooted in the Finnish wilderness, her process involves hiking and paddling through remote regions to gather motifs for careful examination.
By doing so, she captures fleeting moments, emotions, and sensory perceptions within her work. The resulting paintings are multilayered and ambiguous, intentionally designed to act as a mirror for the viewer’s own emotions. This fluidity ensures the work remains contemporary and personally resonant for each observer. These pieces are best experienced in natural light or the soft transition of dusk, as these lighting conditions accentuate the vibrant substance and intricate layering of the compositions, revealing the full complexity of her technique.
Born in Southern Finland, Saarenneva currently lives and works in Central Finland. Her paintings created before the spring of 2020 were produced in the atelier space of Tourula Visual Artists in Jyväskylä, while her more recent works are born in her private home atelier.
LADY SANCHEZ MACIAS
(Popjoy Oy)
CRAFTING
Lady Sanchez Macias is a Helsinki-based designer and artisan whose creative journey began as a passionate hobby. Largely self-taught, with a foundation built on specialised pattern-making courses, she has developed a deep expertise in structural garment construction and texturing. Her artistic practice is driven by the magic of circular fashion—specifically the challenge and joy of breathing new life into forgotten, old fabrics. Merging historical corsetry techniques with modern streetwear silhouettes, Lady approaches textile upcycling as a form of wearable art, transforming premium deadstock and vintage remnants into vibrant, one-of-a-kind expressive pieces.
KATHARINA SCHMIDT
CONTEMPORARY ARTIST.
I am Katharina Schmidt, a Finnish-German contemporary artist from Helsinki, Finland. Art has always been the way for me to observe the world and work through experiences - whether it was as a kid late at night under candle light at my summer house or preparing my next exhibition in my studio in Helsinki. Each art work has a story, a purpose, a personality.
I have grown up in a melting pot of different cultures and languages and in my art I want to explore fundamental questions about existence. I have never truly felt like belonging in one place, yet somehow I belong everywhere, and I seek to understand very different kinds of world views. To me art is the mirror of humanity - it shows what we as humans experience beneath the surface in ways that other methods cannot.
JOONAS SIRVIÖ
PAINTING
"The act of artistic creation is an experimental journey into the artist's soul."
My work draws its inspiration from people—subjects that reflect emotions and lived experiences, often expressed through abstraction and symbolism. I aim to create works that evoke a feeling and a space in which the viewer's mind is free to wander. Drawing is a fundamental part of my creative process and often serves as the starting point for my works. I have studied art in Finland, Ireland, and Spain, and this international background has enriched my artistic expression and broadened my perspective. My work has been exhibited extensively in both solo and group exhibitions in Finland, Ireland, and Spain. My works are held in private and public collections across these countries.
ANNA SIUKOLA
PRODUCT DESIGNER, MAKER, ARTIST
I am a Russian-born Finland-based artist, a multinational person, which I believe, is my asset. I am an artist who has absorbed different cultural heritage. I find it important for an artist to bring their personality to their works. My artistic style highlights my diverse cultural background.”
I believe that art is important for a human. Someone needs to make, others – to observe, but in any case, while art is not a necessity that humans need to survive, yet, I believe, it is important for the psychological health of people. There are many art forms available these days, but what combines them all – is their effect on a human: it is therapeutic, healing, thought-evoking, and imagination-stimulating.
I am a visualist. I see beauty in everything that surrounds me: every little object, color, form, texture. I get inspired easily. Also, I am extremely curious, I love to learn new techniques and work with very different materials, for example, glass, ceramics, paint, metal, resin, concrete… you name it!
To connect to nature, I am fond of the minimum waste concept, which is why I often use recycled materials in my works. “Giving objects a second life” is my designer motto.
KIA STANDERTSKJÖLD-NORDENSTAM
PAINTING, WEARABLE ART
“I’m so happy, ‘cause today I found my friends, they’re in my head” Lithium, Nirvana
I’m a contemporary artist from Helsinki, Finland. Exploring themes of mental health and inner demons, showcased with explosions of color and strangely cute creatures that together create a chaotic composition in a peculiar world that usually only exists inside my own head. Each piece is imbued with a sense of narrative, inviting viewers into a different world. My work is a fusion of influences, drawing inspiration from books, music, films and the bizarre corners of art history as well as my dreams, imaginary friends and random thoughts. I use materials from acrylic paint to pages from books and crayons to medical imagery. My aim is to challenge perceptions and spark conversation, inviting viewers to embrace the weirdness inside and find a tinge of joy in the unconventional.
Photographer Credit: Indira Wrede
ANNA STANKEVICH
MIXED MEDIA ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR
HIAA SUPPORTING BOARDMEMBERS
Anna Stankevich is an international illustrator and fine artist, previously working in London and now living in Helsinki. She works predominantly with pens, ink and water-based media to create nature-inspired works of intricate detail and delicate style. A lot of her work is black and white but she also enjoys experimenting with minimal colours. Her illustrative drawings are often a mix of surreal and emotive themes; full of birds, wildlife and botanical motifs. Anna's illustrations have been used in commercial projects and her original artwork is part of several private collections.
She has been in the board since 2021.
DACE STRAUSA
PAINTER, OIL
A Latvian born artist, STRAUSA is an oil and multi-disciplinary artist living now in Finland. Her love for animals in childhood grew to a horse breeding studies (with limited study options behind the iron curtain). During which time, the artist was able to master equine anatomy, behavior, character and visual diversity in her paintings.
"For as long as I can remember myself, I have always been drawing and have taken particular pleasure in this activity.
Later on, I studied at the Art Academy of Latvia preparatory courses, but I've learned more by doing and learning from artists. For a year, I studied at a photography school with an internationally renowned photography artist. This way, layer by layer, I've built my professional skills."
STRAUSA showcases her work in exhibitions. these have taken place in global museum spaces, occasionally taking
From time to time, I showcase my work in exhibitions. Her paintings have taken place in several countries' galleries, museums and shows.
YULIIA SYDORENKO
PAINTER
Hej! Mitt smeknamn är Juliana Belladonna. Jag är 37 år gammal. Jag är ukrainare och kom till Finland när kriget började. Jag är en självlärd konstnär och skapar tavlor i mytologisk stil. Jag har studerat skandinavisk mytologi och runologi i ca 10 år. Jag älskar den här traditionen och vill visa folket i Skandinavien att deras kultur också respekteras i andra länder i världen.
KIRSI SYRLIN
ARTIST
Kirsi Syrlin is a professional Finnish artist who has just returned back to Espoo after three years of living in Belgium. She has held several exhibitions in Europe, latest ones in Finland, Italy and Belgium. Her art works are also seen at the Atkinson Collection Gallery, Chicago, USA. Her art can be seen in many private collections in Europe and City of Helsinki has her paintings at Kivelä hospital walls. She has also had a solo exhibition at the Embassy of Finland in Brussels. She has now representation contracts with galleries in Italy and USA. Last year her art pieces were published in an Italian Artinside Magazine by curator Maddalena Grazzini and she was invited to participate to the Florence Biennale in October 2019.
