Minna Salomaa:

“I’m fascinated by the idea of a deliberate mistake.”

When did you discover your interest in visual art?

I was lucky to grow up in Forssa, where there’s an art school for children and young people. Painting and drawing have always been part of my life, and I received instruction from an early age.

What does painting mean to you?

I’m interested in the impermanence of everything – and in what we are as human beings in relation to each other and the world around us. Through my paintings, I try to understand what it means to exist and to see through the visible world.

For me, paint is the most sensitive of all expressive tools. In painting, time accumulates in layers, and I gain access to parts of myself that are otherwise out of reach. I try to paint as intuitively as I can. Sometimes rationality feels like an enemy – it makes me question whether my work is honest. Honesty in a painting is extremely important to me.

I’m fascinated by the idea of a deliberate mistake. I don’t try to force anything, but sometimes, by listening to the material, it happens. At times, it feels like the paint wants to move in a certain direction – and I let it. My intuition may be shaped by years of learned rules: “this is not how it’s supposed to be done.” Wherever that instinct comes from, it feels important.

What do you think is essential in painting – what’s at its core?

I think that in all good paintings, it feels like someone is home. How that feeling comes to be is a more complex matter.

You should always work with sincerity. That doesn’t mean there’s no room for joy or humor. It’s important to believe in your reasons for making art – and to always give it your all.

What have you studied most recently, and what thoughts did it spark?

Right now, we have a course with Siiri Haarla called “Painting and Philosophy.” She gave me an excellent text about the philosophy of the line. I’m very interested in lines and have been exploring as many ways as possible to create them – through painting, carving, and so on. It was exciting to read different perspectives and discover overlaps with my own thinking.

What has studying at the Free Art School given you?

Even though I had studied visual arts before, it felt like my brain switched gears already during the entrance exams. I feel like I learn something new about myself and about art every single week.

At the Free Art School, I’ve learned to approach artmaking with an open attitude. Experimenting and failing often helps you move forward – there really is no single right way to paint. I also love being in a close-knit community where you gain many perspectives from both teachers and fellow students. The school gives you the tools to develop your own expression and a deep understanding of materials.

Minna Salomaa, born 1990

• Previous studies: BA in Art Education, University of Lapland; Graphic Designer (UAS), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
• Other interests besides painting: Boring adventures