KIVINEN

Born 1971 in Kuusankoski, Finland – currently lives and works in Finland

The large scale works of graphic artist Tiina Kivinen (born 1971) are produced by the means of metal graphic artform. Kivinen uses an exertive and slow mezzotint medium, which enables the creation of completely black tint.

Kivinen started her career by depicting abstract landscapes using mezzotint method. The charasteristics of mezzotint method are deep, voluptuous black tint and slow, laboursome working process. The method can be described as a subtle rebellion against the haste of modern way of living. In Kivinen’s art, white and especially black emphasise a few colours. Physical and delicate drypoint lines bring balance to mezzotint surfaces.

The distinction of Kivinen’s art works is the small size of her prints. One reason for small print series is the artist’s work tempo. After the plate has been used a few times it often starts its own life – the artist changes the plate and uses it in her next work. Kivinen is facinated by transience and uniqueness, without the ballast of repetitiveness often associated with graphic art.

Nature has been and still is on the centre stage of Kivinen’s art, in a clear and minimalistic form. A homage for Finnish landscape acts as a carrying force for the art pieces – latest artworks have also introduced humans as explorers to the landscape. However, nature remains as the main pictorial motif in a meditative and reduced form.

ARTISTIC EDUCATION AND STUDIES

1989 Helsinki High School of Arts, Torkkeli, Finland

1990 Kuusamo Peoples College – Study line of printmaking and Graphic Art, Finland

1994 North Karelia College of Arts, Major in Printmaking and Graphic Art, Finland

EXHIBITIONS (SOLO)

2012 Bronda Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2011 Gallery Himmelblau, Tampere, Finland

2011 Galerie Arktika, Marktoberdorf, Germany

2010 Finnish Institute in Estonia, Tallinn

2009 WeeGee, Aarni gallery, Espoo, Finland

2009 Gallery Harmaja, Oulu, Finland

2008 La Galeria, Barcelona, Spain

2006 Bronda Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2005 The Art Museum of Kouvola, Finland

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS (GROUP)

2012 Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam, Holland

2012 BLEKEN, BJERTNÆS, OPDAHL, STANA, NUPEN, KIVINEN, Haugesund Billedgalleri, Norway

2012 Kunstverket galleri, Fire Grafiske Fortellinger, Oslo, Norway

2012 19. Triennale Grenchen, Switzerland

2012 Art Karlsruhe, Germany

2011 BERLINER LISTE fair for contemporary art and photography, Berlin, Germany

2011 3rd Guanlan International Print Biennial, China

2011 X International Biennial of Engraving Acqui Prize, Italia

2009 The 15th SPACE International Print Biennial, Seoul, Korea

2008 IX Biennal of Graphic Art of the Baltic States “Kaliningrad-Koeningsberg”

2007 Aomori International Print Triennal, Japan

2004 BIN-2004, 2nd Independ International Biennal of Graphic, St.Petersburg, Russia

2002 Grafinnova 02, International Graphic Art Exhibition, The Art Museum of Vaasa

2001 International Print Triennal of Ljubljana, Slovenia

2000 International Print Triennal Cracow, 3rd International Print Triennal, Poland

EXHIBITION (GROUP)

2012 Art Centre Salmela, Artist of the summer, Mäntyharju, Finland

2010 Helsinki Contemporary Art Fair

2010 The Retretti Art Centre Summer Exhibitions, Punkaharju, Finland

2010 Argos Art, Stockmann, Helsinki

2005 The 110th Finnish Artists` Exhibition, The Kunsthalle Helsinki

2005 Graphica Creativa`s 30th Anniversary Exhibition, The Art Museum of Jyväskylä

MEMBERSHIPS

The Association of Finnish Printmakers

Visual Artists Association of Espoo

WORKS IN COLLECTIONS

H.M. Queen Sonja Art Collection, Norway

Graphiksammlung Kunsthaus Grenchen, Switzerland

Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museo, Turku

The Government of Finland

The Finnish Parliament

Finland’s Embassy, Singapore

Finland’s Embassy, Seoul, Republic of Korea

The Parish Union of Helsinki

The Collection of The Art Museum of Helsinki,Tampere, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Kouvola

Union of Salaried Employees TU

The Finnish National Fund for Research and Developments (SITRA)

AWARDS AND PRIZES

2012 The Queen Sonja Nordic Art Award

2010 Public Display Grant for Visual Artists, The Arts Council of Finland

2006 The Finnish Cultural Foundation’s annual Gran

2005 Public Display Grant for Visual Artists, The Arts Council of Finland

RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN ARTS INSTRUCTOR

1996-1997 Visiting Graphic Arts Teacher, Espoo People’s College

1996-1997 Visiting Graphic Arts Teacher, Vantaa Institute of Adult Education

1997- Children’s Arts Instructor, Taidetalo Toteemi, The City of Vantaa

2000- Course Teacher of Graphic Arts, Art School of Northern Helsinki