MARJUKKA VAINIOSuite Debussy 13.9.2014 – 12.10.2014

The series of photographs entitled Suite Debussy, by artist and artist professor Marjukka Vainio (born 1953), alludes to the French composer Claude Debussy, whose music has been described as impressionist, conveying impressions and moods.

Impressions brought about by Debussy´s music have inspired Marjukka Vainio in her work. They have spurred her to express space, movement, spaciousness, lightness and transparency. While trying to achieve these impressions, Vainio has considered and processed the basics of visual expression: composition, forms, colour and light. The process started with flowers that she grew herself, and developed from emotions that sprouted from Debussy´s music and the budding ideas these created, finally resulting in the works of art, all executed by the artist´s eye and hand.

Marjukka Vainio´s images are full of poetic beauty. Small gestures take on huge meanings. Petals are blown away by the wind or drop off slowly around the flower. There are a few green leaves along the flower, a silk ribbon wrapped around it, and light is accompanied by shadow.

Marjukka Vainio´s fragile flowers float in deep, eternal space. The 17^th-century Dutch still lifes of flowers were also usually painted against a dark background. Flowers were seen as signs from God, or their short bloom reminded viewers of life´s impermanence. In her photographs, Vainio uses the dark background to try to achieve the impression of an intensity reminiscent of an oil painting, while the character of the photographs where delicate flowers rest on frail lace are more evocative of watercolours, reminders of the technique´s elegant transparency.

It can be said that Marjukka Vainio creates new worlds with her art - and new realities. The real world becomes surreal. It goes beyond the reality - and the artist accomplishes her task.

Rauli Heino