Eeva Honkanen is an artist specialized in large-scale ink drawings. She combines both personal and historical imagery with surreal parallels. The humans and animals depicted in the drawings live simultaneously in two worlds: in the real world and in the artist’s imagination. Although the drawings reflect on the estranged relationship between humans and nature, they also pay homage to humans and the diversity of nature.
Trapped in Time explores the contradictions of identification with the mind. Humans are often considered different from other species, especially due to their thinking skills. In Honkanen’s work, time and mind are inseparable, and identification with the mind means to be trapped by time and forced to live on memory and expectations. This results in a focus on the past and the future, and an unwillingness to respect the present moment. The person acts unconsciously, and the most fundamental thought is forgotten – we are all one.
The drawings contain massive amounts of people and animals, and even include spirits and holiness. The strangeness and the jumble of different species sharpen the eyes. Suddenly, the viewer might notice a unicorn or a winged putto, for instance. The portrayal of the eccentric vision is a merciless critique of the modern world, although often accompanied by a touch of humor.
Artist Eeva Honkanen (b. 1983) lives and works in Lahti. The diversity of today’s world, where there is no single truth, has always guided Honkanen’s artistic work. Her style is characterized by an abundance of detail and exaggeration. After graduating from the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture in 2010, Honkanen has actively held exhibitions not only in Finland but also in Europe and the United States, as well as participated in residencies around the world.
Eeva Honkanen’s artistic work has been supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. The exhibition is supported by the Finnish Heritage Agency.
