About Naisväki
Naisväki - Creatures of Power
“A celebration and visual exploration of magical strong females, inspired by the Finnish mythology”
Naisväki, “Creatures of Power”is a project where a multidisciplinary group of three artists come together to explore and express their individual vision on the female magical figure connected with the Finnish mythology. In today’s Finland, the role of women has reached one of the highest levels of equality in the world, it bases on the old traditions of strong, hardworking, women that shaped the country, and on a strong sense of identity in the female roles as a leader and trustworthy motherly protector in control of her environment.
These three artists share the deep connection with the Finnish landscape, traditions, ideology and the natural wild female energy. Kirsi Vahtera is a Finnish master blacksmith, designer, teacher, mother, and a Kalevala enthusiastic. She’s specialized in traditional forging, mastering also modern metal processing methods, Sanna Pöyhönen is a Finnish sculpture artist based in the Netherlands. She has worked with clay and ceramic art for over 30 years. After a career within digital transformation and artificial intelligence, her art is now about embracing humanity and nurturing the connection to nature. Ana Priscila Rodriguez is a Mexican/Dutch artist with a specialty in mixed media and photography. She creates conceptual haunting images and fairytales using digital mixed media photography and vintage paper collages. Her self-portraits aim to create a recognizable shore for the emotional human experience. She has a strong bond with Finland through her artwork and also in her personal life, as her husband is a Finnish man.
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Together they set up a collective visual experience for the viewer where they envision in their very own style and language, what the magical depth of the old Finnish mythological world has inspired them to create.
As a team, they share a fascination to the depth and richness of the psychological and emotional realm provided by the mighty ladies of the Finnish mythology . The heroines in the unique defying and vast Finnish landscape have inspired them with ideas, stories and visions that - despite their different backgrounds and upbringing – unleashed a creative catharsis that brought all of their hearts together.
Their work is meant to convey the stories of the women of the ancient forest: - the women who battled with wild creatures, the women who loved passionately, the women who made their way home through tough winters, and finally the women who became magical through folklore, made into goddesses and enchanted creatures with magical powers. It is because of them that these artists have found their own strength to create and to find their own power as women and creative beings.
Armed with clay, iron and paper: this project is about creatures of power, dedicated to the power within every woman.