ART CENTER AHJO, SYSI-HALL; FOR SWAYERS, SIGHERS, COOERS

JOHANNA SIPILÄ - FOR SWAYERS, SIGHERS, COOERS 1.10-19.10.2025

Johanna Sipilä lives and works in Nuuksio, Espoo. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts degree from Aalto University. She has also studied painting at the Free Art School for three years. Sipilä’s oil paintings are inspired by walking and spending time in the forests near her studio in all seasons, her own movement and the movement of nature, and her observations and thoughts in the forests. She says that in the act of painting and throughout the entire artistic process she seeks the same primitivity, lightness and wild instinctiveness as in nature.

The birthplace of my paintings is the peace and quiet of a natural forest. On the other hand, the cruelties of the surrounding world, confusion, and disbelief in the degradation of humanity are also present. I paint color and movement; I paint my fear away. Painting gives me courage that I do not have with words. Painting comes from elsewhere, a different place than words.

For me, painting offers safety and comfort. On the other hand, it is the most ruthless destroyer of fragile self-esteem.
Painting is transformative. On the other hand, it is rather pointless.
Painting is a strange monologue. On the other hand, it is a friend.

Painting is brutally honest. On the other hand, it is a pose on a phone screen. Painting is an obsession. On the other hand, it is the greatest joy.
Painting is a language of meanings. On the other hand, it is just color on canvas. Painting is madness. On the other hand, it is beautiful madness.

Thanks to Otto A. Malm Foundation, my husband, and friends for making this exhibition possible.

Contact information:

www.johannasipila.com

Instagram: jojohannasipila