VIVA GRANLUND

Visual artist

Viva Granlund finds a deep state of peace and contentment while working, a state where their senses and mind are open.  In this state, Granlund feels wholly present in the moment, completely in touch with themself. Granlund also wanted to create this space of stillness and open presence for the visitors of the "Ihmemaa X"-deconstruction art exhibition (Kerava 2024).  For their site-specific work, Contemplation Space, Granlund spent eight months drawing and painting three meter high walls, without preliminary sketches or pre-existing plans. The imagery grew like a mandala, with rhythmic patterns and numerous details filling the room. In the center of the space on the floor, inside a painted Zen Buddhist circle, ensō, was a stool and beside it a box containing word cards for contemplation. Contemplation Space was taken down, but continues life in a different form in this exhibition. The walls were transformed into small pieces, guided by the shapes of the previous images, as if drawing new outlines with a jigsaw. The shapes of these pieces, in turn, have guided new drawings.

Drawing has been an experience of joy and wonder for Granlund since childhood. This is evident to the observer as well. Granlund's connection to their mind's inner imagery, flowing as streams of drawing onto the surface, is astounding to witness. When Granlund draws, it's like being swept into her inner stream of thought. The stream contains abstract forms, microscopic worlds, insects and creatures, various new variations of plants. Geometry, skies, and continents. Granlund draws and paints solely from memory. Everything around Granlund — everyday life, and sensory experiences — serves as their material. If it were possible to visually represent humanity's collective memory since cave paintings, it might look just like this.

The collection of works on display in Granlund's exhibition grows daily with new additions. Viva Granlund is present to draw during the exhibition's opening hours. The works are available  immediately.