Riikka Soininen: Contemporary Oil Paintings on Gilded Canvas

Riikka Soininen is a distinguished visual artist and painter based in Oulu, Finland, who spends her summers creating in the serene environment of Hailuoto. Her artistic practice is defined by a meticulous technique involving the application of thin layers of oil paint over canvases primed with gilded metal leaves. This approach allows her works to capture and reflect light in extraordinary ways, creating pieces that literally shine in various lighting conditions. Riikka Soininen's thematic focus is a rich blend of her diverse educational background, which includes studies in architecture and cultural anthropology at the University of Oulu, as well as fine art training in Florence, Italy, and at the Liminka School of Art. Her paintings frequently explore northern landscapes, seascapes, and icescapes, alongside architectural forms and the human figure. The influence of her time in Florence remains a cornerstone of her aesthetic, manifesting in a deep appreciation for the structural beauty of old buildings and classical sculpture. In addition to her large-scale oil paintings, Riikka Soininen produces monotypes and small-scale paper prints. Her work has been exhibited extensively across Europe and internationally, including shows in Helsinki, Stockholm, Germany, and New York. By blending the organic textures of nature with the rigid lines of architecture, Riikka Soininen creates a visual language that is both contemporary and timeless, deeply rooted in the cultural and environmental spirit of Northern Finland.