Welcome to the 'Iconic – Portraits by Artists' group exhibition
Did you draw your favourite artists when you were young? It is typically part of a process that shapes our identities when growing up. Now, the Iconic – Portraits by Artists group exhibition showcases images of those who inspire visual artists today. You get to see impressive, graphic artwork and fascinating figures.
The artists are Terhi Ekebom, Elina Holley, Ossi Pirkonen, Sofia Pusa, Ville Salervo and Anna Salmi.
Roasberg, Mikonkatu 13, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Open daily 9am–6pm 1.-30.5.2021
FREE ENTRYSAFETY NOTICE
Our priority is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Changes may occur due to the recommendations and requirements of the health and welfare authorities. When you visit the exhibition, please wear a mask, keep safe distance, and take care of good hand hygiene. Please stay home if you experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms. Let’s take care of one other!
Violet Chachki by Elina Holley
“This is homage to the legendary drag queen Violet Chachki.
When I saw the 7th season of Drag Race, I was immediately drawn to her dark glamour. I love the way Violet Chachki (Paul Jason Dardo) combines vintage and fetish fashion. The style of my artwork was influenced by Serge Luten, Tim Walker and voguing."
Leigh Bowery by Elina Holley
"This is homage to the legendary, late Leigh Bowery.
Leigh Bowery has been described as ‘walking art form’. He was bizarre, shocking and jaw-dropping. He was a performance artist, club promoter, fashion designer and model and muse for the painter Lucian Freud, among other things.
Many of the weird and wonderful things that have blown my mind, such as Alexander McQueen’s A/W2009 other-worldly avant-garde collection, have had direct reference to Leigh Bowery. When I discovered him quite recently, I was amazed.
Bowery passed away tragically in 1994. He was only 33 years old. He may not be widely known today but his influence on high and popular culture is evident.
Long live Leigh Bowery."
Yayoi Kusama by Elina Holley
“This is homage to the legendary artist Yayoi Kusama.
When I was an art student in the UK, we had reading weeks, which meant time for research as well as museums and gallery visits. Time Out London listed an exhibition that caught my eye. The artist was described to be obsessed with dots and penises (she was afraid of them). Also, she had been part of the New York avant-garde scene throughout the 1960s. Seeing Yayoi Kusama’s work in Serpentine Gallery was just as amazing as I expected.
One of the things I love about Yayoi Kusama is that she breaks boundaries between commercial and fine art. I was blown away by the Louis Vuitton collaboration in 2012, especially the flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York that was covered in her dots.
Kusama started to create dots as part of her “art therapy”. When she was young, she experienced hallucinations of patterns moving and multiplying around her, and finally consuming her. She began to paint these ‘Self Obliteration’ visions.
This portrait is my perception of ‘becoming Yayoi Kusama’, the world-famous artists that is nowadays particularly appreciated by the Instagram selfie culture."
BUY THE ARTWORK
Contact me if you want to buy these unique fine art giclée prints and/or collaborate.
► elina.holley@me.com, +358445552457
