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AT KAISU'S STUDIO 21.4.2005

Carnival. "When I am painting I have a very strong feeling, a desire for celebration. As I am working, I want actually to see what is going on in my head. I keep wondering: what's this that's coming through? Only after this period of stream-of consciousness, I start to rationalize and clear up the painting. I remember recalling the ancient theory that the Earth was flat, like a pancake. It made me smile to think that I might be living on the edge of a pancake, wondering whether I would dare to jump off the edge into the unknown. One series of my paintings is called At the Edge of the World. I'm not as ascetic in my expression nowadays as I used to be. I find carnivalistic aspects increasingly working their way into my work although, finely tuned color, and space - especially the Endless Space - remain essential elements in my work."

Silence. "When I was younger, there was a lot more drama and anxiety involved in the act of painting. I suppose my identity is less rigid today. I've changed in the sense that I've become more fluid - hearing life's more quiet voices, appreciating more subtle things. Great bravado - although a requisite, is no longer the essential issue. I enjoy the meditative aspect of painting wherein the dialogue is silent. In silence my thoughts are without words, which allows me to get acquainted with my deeper thoughts and develop them further. The process of painting is like a long journey; sometimes the trip can take a couple of years."

The forest and the sea. "Nature has always meant a lot to me. As a child, I used to roam about studying my surroundings, gathering flowers and white moss, even believing in fairies, at least until I started school. The forest and the sea are still places of silence and peace for me. On the other hand, Nature forms a strong and arbitrary contrast to today´s rationalism.The organic elements in my work represent my ongoing relationship with Nature."

Mother. "I was a shy and a somewhat scary child. I felt most at home living in the world of imagination, exploring all kinds of things although there were also times when I was quite wild and lively. My mother was an art teacher and a very righteous woman. In our home, both modern and classical art were highly esteemed. Meanwhile the artist´s lifestyle was not. She rarely commented on my art-making activities, neither at home nor at school. This proved rather traumatic for me at the time because I painted and drew a lot."

Fractions. "It is impossible to foretell which paintings will remain dear and satisfying to oneself as the years go by. I would say that the ratio is certainly no more than one out of ten - perhaps ultimately, as little as one out of fifty. When I was moving, I rediscovered some of my old paintings dating back to my student days. I brought a couple of them back home and hung them up. One, I keep eyeing, wondering just how differently I would go about it today; the other, I am still quite pleased with. Yet, I still find both to be very interesting although I don't paint like that anymore. I would say they probably belong to the one out of ten group expressed in fractions."

Painting process. "The process of painting itself is, I think, the main reason why I put up with an artist's life in Finland. Despite the fact that one can often get pushed quite close to the limit and feel quite powerless, I believe that being an artist is a privilege, not a deplorable fate. I try to keep the process as clear and vital as possible and, over the years, I have had the fortunate experience of many great moments. It is because of these moments that I remain ready to face future uncertainty."

Skin. "As an artist, one has to give up an economically safe life and take many risks. An artist´s mental well-being is constantly challenged because you are critised or esteemed according to your work. Paintings are always very personal. However, as they say, "you get more skin on your nose" which means that nowadays I`ve got a mind of my own. So there´s really no need to get hurt by every trivial remark."

- interview by Mikki Tapaninen