Peace - the Breath of Life

Tarja Malinen (1961–) is a North Karelian artist with a long career in sculpting and installation art. Malinen’s work explores current and timeless themes, such as the peaceful co-existence of different cultures and the loneliness young people experience. After the death of her son, Malinen has processed her grief through her work. In 2022, Malinen received a six-month grant from the North Karelia Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Tiisala and Malinen’s friendship began in the early 1980s. The artists studied together in the night classes of the Helsinki University of Fine Arts held in Ateneum and have since stayed in touch, supporting and cheering each other on.

Eeva Tiisala (1952–) gives context to her art through her poetry.

The morning
of Brightness
Quiet
Look, Unnoticed
There
Here Everywhere
in the First Green
There
just There and There also
It’s Blooming
among us

I hope you
wouldn’t fly far
Or
Would you tell
That you will Be
Always
and
There is nothing
but existence
Eternal?
Am I asking this from You
Trembling
In Front of your assumed Leaving