About
Emilia Pennanen is a visual artist from Helsinki, Finland. Her artistic practice consists of working with photography, sculpture, text and sound. The starting point of her artistic process is always in photography, from which she continues working by printing and developing images on to different materials, which will further develop into sculptures. In her multi-material works, Pennanen explores the intertwining of corporeality, landscape photography, sensuality, nature, memory, presence, and femininity. At times the works take the shape of a sound piece or an installation. Experimentation and methods that push the boundaries of photography are central to her process. She is guided by intuition and constant curiosity towards sensory and material properties of a landscape, a memory, a touch. With her work she wants to expand the view of the photographic imprint by tracing back experienced moments, places or connections more vividly to their emotional and physical essence and origins.
Upcoming
2025 Serlachius Residency, Mänttä, Finland
2026 HAA Gallery, Helsinki (solo exhibition)
Degrees and Qualifications
2022 Master of Arts in Photography, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture, Helsinki, Finland
2014 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD, USA
Other Education
2012 1st year studies of Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Photography (Honors), University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, UK
Selected exhibitions
2025 Rose Rock/Prairie Flower, Huuto Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (solo)
2024 Sunspinner (Rosa Rocha) Auringonkehrääjä (Rosa Rocha), Photographic Gallery Hippolyte Studio, Helsinki, Finland (solo)
2023 Sun Drawing on the Skin of a Rock, Photographic Centre Peri, Turku, Finland (solo)
2023 Mirage, Encontros da Imagem – International Photography & Visual Arts Festival, Braga, Portugal (festival)
2023 Mirage, Poriginal gallery, Pori, Finland (solo)
2023 Finnish Spirit – Identity, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki, Finland
2022 Mirage, Art Centre Mältinranta Studio, Tampere, Finland (solo)
2021 Almost there, V1 Gallery in Espoo, Finland (solo)
2021 1–100 Art Shop, Mutteri Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2020 Unfold, Finnish Museum of Photography in Helsinki, Finland
2020 Kinship Photogram, Untitled Festival, Demos Helsinki, Finland
2019 Hatching, Kosminen, Helsinki, Finland
2019 Sun sets over your, Asbestos Art Space, Helsinki, Finland (solo)
2017 Der Greif: Thread Count, Unseen Festival, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2017 Expectations: A Feminist Video Screening, Lillstreet Loft, Chicago, IL, USA
2015 Tidal Swell, EMP Collective, Baltimore, MD, USA (solo)
2015 Academy 2015, CONNERSMITH., Washington D.C., USA
2015 Commencement Exhibition, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD, USA
2014 Chasing Down The Pour, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA
2014 Lightweight, EMP Collective, Baltimore, MD, USA
2013 Good Light, Current Gallery, Baltimore, USA
2013 Mind’s Eye, Full Circle Gallery, Baltimore, USA
2013 Presence, Wilgus Gallery, Baltimore, USA
2013 Kun olimme kahden, Kalleria, Helsinki, FI
2013 Close Your Eyes, Sun Pier House, Chatham, UK
Residencies
2025 RAMA Artist Residency, Torres Vedras, Portugal
2024 RAMA Artist Residency, Torres Vedras, Portugal
2022 SÍM Artist Residency in Korpúlfsstaðir, Reykjavik, Iceland
Selected Performances
2015 6 at 6 at Motel 6, Baltimore, USA
2015 Superwomen at GRL PWR, The Crown, Baltimore, USA
2015 Fable at Pulse, EMP Collective, Baltimore, USA
2015 Distance at Labbodies: Borders, Boundaries, and Barricades Festival, Gallery CA, Baltimore, USA
2015 Spit, Blood, Honey, Sugar at Pulse, EMP Collective, Baltimore, USA
2014 Medusa at Labbodies: Transmodern Festival, Baltimore, USA
2014 Rose at Labbodies: The Flower Shop, Baltimore, USA
2014 Sugared at Labbodies: The Museum Realness, Baltimore, USA
2014 Blood Sugar Magic at Opium Wampum, The Crown, Baltimore, USA
2013 Paradise at Good Year, Annex 2E, Baltimore, USA
2010–2011 Invisible Forces: Short Film by Juliacks, Juliacks, Helsinki, FI and New York, USA
Memberships
The Association of Photographic Artists Finland
Kuvasto
Teosto
Contact:
e.a.pennanen @ gmail.com
Full CV upon request.