FI EN

PAULIINA HEINÄNEN

Pauliina Heinänen (b. 1992) is a Helsinki-based visual artist whose themes are related to being present, longing and belonging. Heinänen graduated with a Master of Arts degree in photography from Aalto University in 2020 and a bachelor’s degree from the Lahti Institute of Design in 2015. Their works have featured in several publications and exhibitions both in Finland and abroad.

Heinänen’s works start from a photographic idea. Their main working technique is engraving on pigment prints. When engraving, Heinänen places themselves beside photographs and allows their hand to lead them to an image that a mere photograph could not. This always involves movement, time and chance. Heinänen typically focuses on details that provide a wider picture. They have published an award-winning book of photography, Kotimatkalla/På väg hem, which deals with the theme of home through their grandparents experiences as children during the war. In addition to their artistic work, Heinänen runs the Uumen ry association together with visual artist Laura Konttinen. Uumen publishes online texts related to arts written by visual artists and aims to increase the appreciation of visual artists’ work. 

@heinapa

https://pauliinaheinanen.com

Exhibited at Taidehalli 22.4.-28.5.2023

ARTWORKS 

40 engraved pigment prints 30,5x37,5 cm
2023

Ahokissankäpälä, Harjuajuruoho, Harjusikojuuri, Hietikkosara, Hirvenkello, Hullukaali, Isokrassi, Juurtokaisla, Kalliomaksaruoho, Kartioakankaali, Keltamatara, Ketokurho, Merihaprajuola, Kynäjalava, Lännenkylmäkukka, Lehtotaponlehti, Merikastikka, Meriotakilokki, Metsälitukka, Ojatädyke, Pesäjuuri, Pikkukihokki, Pommerinvirna, Punakatko, Rantaruttojuuri, Rautanokkonen, Rohtokoirankieli, Ruotsinpihlaja, Saarni, Seinäraunioinen, Sinikuusama, Sorsanputki, Suomukka, Sykeröpoimulehti, Tulisuolaheinä, Tummahorsma, Tylppöorapihlaja, Vaaleajäsenruoho, Vuorijalava, Vuorimunkki

Katoava kasvio (‘the vanishing flora’) is a letter addressed to biodiversity. I travel to places where endangered plants grow and take photographs of the species I find. I produce pigment prints from the photos and engrave the surface with a metal eraser pen. The plants that I shoot are disappearing from Finnish ecosystems, and so do my photos of them – the engraving makes them glow white. 

The collection consists of plants in the categories near threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered. The more endangered a plant is, the more I carve on the photo. My engraving replaces the green in the photos: where there should be green, what you see is white.

The work is my way of saying goodbye to Finnish nature as we know it. I stay by the plants and let my hand take me to the emptiness that will follow biodiversity loss, if the worst comes to the worst. The unique works form a collection of numerous images of plants, vanishing flora.

Heinänen’s work in the project has been supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Niilo Helander Foundation, Finnfoto and Finnish Art Society.