Koto Hotel's first art exhibition in 2021 presents the works of visual artist Iana Vulpe from Jyväskylä. 12 of her works are on display, the majority of which have been created in the past couple of years.
– I have used an experimental painting technique in the works, so-called process painting. In it, the brushstrokes do not remain visible. I have adopted this style from street art, where spray paints are used. I use surface colours and watercolours, says Vulpe.
In her exhibition entitled The Root of the Universe, the artist, whose background is in graphic design, develops printed forms by the means of painting. According to the artist, the quality of print is the priority and only after that, the painting. In the exhibition works, strong colours and bold painting shapes are emphasised.
Vulpe also wants to use her example to inspire young people to try making art.
– It is possible to create paintings for example on Finnish recycled plywood, like I do. In that case, the shape of the painting can be something other than the traditional rectangle. The protective covering on the plywood works is varnish, says Vulpe.
She says that her greatest sources of inspiration are scenery, people and events.
– For me, art is above all a thought process.
Indeed, in many of her works, Vulpe processes the great questions of existence and science, as the name of the exhibition, The Root of the Universe, indicates.
– For scientific questions, I develop formulas, which are also visible in my works. The boundaries of science and art are blurred, and all things intertwine. The formula relating to the Root of the Universe can be found in one of the works in the exhibition.
Visual artist, graphic artist Iana Vulpe graduated from the Moldova Academy of Art in 2004. She has had numerous exhibitions in Finland as well as in Romania, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Moldova. She also works as art teacher in basic education in Jyväskylä, where she mainly teaches children.
Vulpe is a member of both Jyväskylä Artists' Association and Finland's Graphic Artists. Her works are for example in the collections of Central Finland Health Care District and the City of Jyväskylä.
Koto Hotel Pihtipudas has since autumn 2020 been profiled as an art hotel and received background support from Jyväskylä Artists' Association for this. Vulpe is already the third member of the Artists' Association whose exhibition is seen at the hotel. The intention is to present various art forms at Koto Hotel also in the future, within the limits set by the coronavirus situation.
Visual artist Iana Vulpe's sales exhibition of mixed media paintings titled The Root of the Universe is on display at Koto Hotel, Pihtipudas, for two months from 1 January until 28 February 2021. The exhibition is open during the hotel's opening times Monday to Sunday from 3 pm until 9 pm. The address is Keskustie 2, Pihtipudas. www.kotohotel.fi
