Toni-Petri Ruotsalainen

I'm a Finnish painter and printmaker, currently residing and working in Tampere, Finland. I work mainly in oil and acrylic paints, and my work recently has focused on pointillistic, nature and animal-themed work. I'm interested in optical illusions; when viewed from a distance my paintings appear photorealistic, but as the viewer closes in, the images break into masses of color, many times bordering on abstraction.

The theme of my work often hinges on the relationship between humans and nature. In today's world, more and more people live their lives in urban areas, and although we may feel kinship to wild animals, we may never see them in their natural habitat. The dicotomy between the natural subject matter, and the almost digital painting style is meant to engage the viewer to ponder their own relationship with nature: if our only connection to nature is via instagram, are we still a part of it?

International Baccalaureate, United World College of the Adriatic, Duino, Italy. 2005-2007

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art (painting), Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, USA. 2007-2011

PRIVATE EXHIBITIONS:
2019 S-Galleria, Helsinki, Finland (upcoming)
2018 Keskus Galleria, Tampere, Finland
2015 Maalauksia & Grafiikkaa; Kerhola, Nokia, Finland
2008 Opinnäytteitä; Uotsola Library, Sastamala, Finland
2007 IB Visual Arts Final Exhibition; UWCAD, Duino, Italy

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2018 Pyhäniemi 2018, Pyhäniemen Kartano, Hollola, Finland
S-Art Prize Contest finalists, S-Galleria, Helsinki, Finland
2017 Keskus Galleria, Tampere, Finland
KOHINA: Tavastia Young Artists’ biennale; Galleria Arx, Hämeenlinna, Finland
2016 Nokian Kuvataiteilijat Ry Annual; Taidetalo, Nokia, Finland
2015 PRINTTI III; Taidetalo, Nokia, Finland
Nokian Kuvataiteilijat Ry Annual; Taidetalo, Nokia, Finland
2014 Luomakunta; Taidekeskus Haihara, Tampere, Finland
2011 HENCE; Hoffmann Gallery, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, USA
30th Gender Studies Symposium; Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR,USA