Minna Pietarinen

I was born a girl as the third oldest daughter in a family of 17 children in a Laestadian household. As a woman, her role model was deeply influenced by motherhood, as dictated by the guidelines of the religion. The guidance in her life was driven by the fear of securing a place in heaven, shaped by a sensitive conscience. At the age of 18, she married, and by the age of 27, she had experienced 9 pregnancies, of which only 5 children survived. In 2012, she left both the Laestadian faith and her marriage.

Throughout her life, Minna has always turned to painting and writing to cope with difficulties. She embarked on her personal journey of self-discovery and healing through the transformative medium of art therapy, eventually becoming a certified art therapy facilitator and a solution-focused coach. Minna's art and poetry, designed to provide peer support, have extended their reach far beyond the borders of Finland, offering solace and resonating with people across the globe.

The "I was born a girl" exhibition, provided an opportunity to bring the power of peer support through art exhibitions to communities globally. It also awakened a desire to make human rights visible through art and poetry, so that at least one woman in the wor...

Porvoo Workers' Institute
Drawing and Painting Course 2002-2005
Porvoo Workers' Institute
Watercolor Painting Course 2006-2007
Askola Workers' Institute
Oil Painting Course 2010-2012
Art and Well-being Center Indico 2010-2012
Art Therapy Studies
Free Art School 2014-2015

2024 Lusaka, Zambia "I was born a girl"-exhibition
2024 Maputo, Mozambique "I was born a girl"-exhibition
2024 DIRCO, South Africa "I was born a girl"-exhibition
2023 AINOA Tapiola, Espoo "I was born a girl"-exhibition
2023 Nordic Business Forum Helsinki, "I was born a girl"-exhibition
2023 Mexico City, Mexico - "I was born a girl"-exhibition on women's rights
2022 Madrid, Spain - "Voice of the Universe" exhibition
2022 Helsinki/ Espoo/ Hyvinkää/ Hamina - "Stories of life" exhibition
2021 Physical and virtual exhibition at Innovation Home Helsinki - "Change"
2019 Singapore - "Bridge Builders" at Innovation Home
2018 "Opportunity" at Innovation Home
2017 Galleria Fogga - "Universe"
2017 Galleria Ars Longa - "Tell Me Your Dreams"
2016 Andira Treatment Room - Hoitohuone
2015 Ojutkangas Clinic - "You Are Beautiful"
2014 Kätilöopiston Hospital - "Cinderella Stories"
2014 Galleria Vaaga - "Group Exhibition"
2014 Art and Well-being Center Indico - "Tales of Cinderella"
2012 Askola Workers' Institute