May I? by Tarja Tuupanen

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Tarja Tuupanen

Tuupanen has travelled hand in hand with the chosen material for so long, that some kind of ease is seen in late works. The stone parts look soft and comfortable.

While decorative motifs change from one exhibited piece to another, the viewer finds oneself in between the field of industrial production and handwork. In recent years Tuupanen has chosen industrially produced stone items to be the base material for her work. The common thing in the artwork is decorativeness. In modern times the attitude towards ornament or decoration might have been a bit intolerant, but Tuupanen takes it into a tight grip. The borders and rules of the material are not seen as limitations, but as possibilities for the making process. The classical atmosphere of marble is present, but warm humour accompanies it. 

The repetition and copying in forms offer confusion, which part is made by the artist and which has been made by the industry? The careful finishing together with small rough details reminds the viewer, that the maker is in control but thoroughly respects the material. Even if the artwork might seem soft and easy, the seriousness of making stands in the background. Stone is hard, even marble, and working with it demands certain discipline. The artist worked with different stones for some years at the time. Longstanding concentration has resulted in a tight relationship with the material. To get to know each used stone type is communication, which constantly feeds the process.
Tarja Tuupanen lives and works in Lappeenranta, Nuijamaa. She makes three-dimensional body-related artwork. The context is contemporary craft and contemporary jewel jewellery. The stone has dominated her practice for over 20 years.