Lena Kuivisto - Visual Artist

BIO
Lena Kuivisto is a Finnish abstract painter based in Turku. She works primarily with large-scale abstract acrylic painting exploring abundance, gladness and hope, as well as the boundary between beauty and ugliness through expressive painterly surfaces and areas of untreated canvas.
Kuivisto was born in Sweden in 1966 and lives and works in Turku, Finland. She graduated from Turku Arts Academy in 2004. Since then she has held several solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions in Finland and internationally. After a period focused on family life, she resumed her active artistic practice and has since exhibited regularly.
She works at the studio facilities of the Finnish Artists’ Studio Foundation at Art House Turku and is an active member of the local artist community.
Her works are held in private collections in Finland. Her recent work has been presented in exhibitions in Helsinki and Brussels, with forthcoming presentations in Stockholm, Istanbul, Ankara and Berlin.
She previously exhibited under the name Lena Poikolainen.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings are primarily abstract works in acrylic on canvas. In my recent work I have explored the theme Beautiful Life, where titles such as Pink and Beloved reflect emotional states and experiences. Although my paintings may appear spontaneous, they are the result of a careful and considered process.

As an artist, I aim to create works that I would want to encounter myself. I am drawn to robust abstract painting: strong painterly surfaces combined with areas of untreated canvas. I am also interested in exploring the boundary where beauty and ugliness meet within painterly expression.

Pink is a recurring colour in my work. It is both a conscious choice and a statement. I want to emphasise a colour that I personally enjoy but that has often been undervalued within the context of contemporary painting.

I often work simultaneously with several themes and multiple paintings at once. At the moment I am continuing to develop my expressive abstract painting and expand my painterly language. In my recent work I explore themes of hope and meaningfulness.

A thought by the poet Jack Gilbert reflects my approach to painting:
“We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.”

Education

2004 Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Art Academy of the Turku University of Applied Sciences

1992 Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, Åbo Akademi University

Upcoming and Recent Exhibitions

2027

Group exhibition, Inselgalerie, Berlin, Germany (forthcoming)

Solo exhibition, Galleria Aski (forthcoming)

Group exhibition, Yllin kyllin V, Art House Turku (forthcoming)

Group exhibition, Kaarina-talo, Kaarina (forthcoming)

2026

International Exhibition, Atatürk Cultural Center Istanbul, Ankara (forthcoming)

Group exhibition, Studio44, Stockholm, Sweden (forthcoming)

Group exhibition, Galleria Aski, Turku (forthcoming)

Group exhibition, Galleria Huuto, Helsinki

Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden

Group exhibition, Taidekappeli, Turku

Group exhibition Skanno and Finnish Painters’ Union Collaboration, Skanno, Helsinki

2025

Galleria Becker, Beautiful Life, solo exhibition, Jyväskylä

Group exhibition, Yllin kyllin IV, Art House Turku

Wiurilan kesä art exhibition 2025, Halikko

Group exhibition, Galleria Aski, Turku

Group exhibition, Stockholm Supermarket Art Fair

Group exhibition, Galleria K41 NordiKeye, Brussels

2024

Galleria Aski, solo exhibition, Beautiful Life, Turku

Galleria Räyhä, solo exhibition, Nature Morte, Turku

Group exhibition Juldrömmar I, Galleria Aski, Turku
Group exhibition Syyssalonki, Finnish Painters’ Union Gallery, Helsinki
Group exhibition Skanno and Finnish Painters’ Union Collaboration, Skanno, Helsinki
Group exhibition Yllin kyllin III, Art House, Turku
Group exhibition Sommartider, Turku Artists’ Association 100th Anniversary Exhibition, Sibelius Museum, Turku
Group exhibition Lainahöyhenissä, 30th Anniversary Exhibition of Turun taidelainaamo, Iso Galleria, Turku Art Hall
Group exhibition Aski auki, Galleria Aski, Turku
Group exhibition Kevätsalonki 2024, Galleria Haa, Turku Artists’ Association Annual Exhibition, Helsinki
Group exhibition Sattuman vaara, Voipala Art Centre, Sääksmäki

External links and platforms

Studio at Art House Turku
https://taiteentalo.fi

Solo exhibition Beautiful Life, Galleria Becker (Jyväskylä)
https://jkltaiteilijaseura.net/2025/09/11/lena-kuivisto-beautiful-life-20-9-8-10-2025-galleria-becker/

Exhibitions at Galleria Aski
https://www.galleriaaski.com/menneet-nayttelyt/lena-kuivisto

Artist profile on Taiko

https://www.taiko.art/lena-kuivisto

Artist profile at Turun Taidelainaamo
https://turuntaidelainaamo.fi/public/go.php?action=artist&artist_id=109531

Contact Me

lena.kuivisto@gmail.com

+358 50 5438962

Instagram: @kuivistolena
www.instagram.com/kuivistolena

Lena Kuivisto - Visual Artist

​ARTIST STATEMENT

​As an artist, I aim to create works that I would want to encounter myself. I am drawn to robust abstract painting: strong painterly surfaces combined with areas of untreated canvas. I am also interested in exploring the boundary where beauty and ugliness meet within painterly expression.

​Pink is a recurring colour in my work. It is both a conscious choice and a statement. I want to emphasise a colour that I personally enjoy but that has often been undervalued within the context of contemporary painting.

​I often work simultaneously with several themes and multiple paintings at once. At the moment I am continuing to develop my expressive abstract painting and expand my painterly language. In my recent work I explore themes of hope and meaningfulness.

​A thought by the poet Jack Gilbert reflects my approach to painting: “We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.”