Valtteri Kleemola: Valtteri's worlds

Valtteri Kleemola (b. 1989) is an artist who creates self-portraits using social media tools and aesthetics. Kleemola's first images appeared unexpectedly and unsolicited in 2018. Since then, thousands of works and templates have been created, with no end in sight.

Kleemola creates his images on his phone's photo app by combining his self-portraits with endless social media libraries. In his images, Kleemola plays with celebrity identities, mixes gender roles and places himself in the middle of popular culture events. Images of dreams and aspirations casually challenge and question the traditions and poses of photography. With his images, Kleemola shakes up the idealised catalogue of our appearance- and success-driven society.

Kleemola works in the general workshop of the Helsinki short-term home and workshop Lyhty ry. He has participated in Lyhty's photography workshop, which has been running since 2001 as a voluntary community art project led by photographer Pekka Elomaa.

Helsinki Short-Term Home and Workshop Lyhty ry is a non-profit association founded in 1993 that provides housing, education and workshop services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Lyhty ry also organises events and cultural activities. Lyhty's ethical purpose is to work for the well-being of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and the society as a whole.

The exhibition is supported by TAIKE and the Uusimaa Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The exhibition has received a state grant from the Finnish Heritage Agency.