KAIJA HINKULA

Gardener, 2025

The work consists of colourful, sculptural painted objects and painted surfaces of colour that are combined with objects used in gardening, such as watering bulbs and spikes. The cut surfaces feature recurring abstract patterns reminiscent of seeds and clouds, creating an imaginary landscape that symbolizes nurturing and growth. Gardener is a metaphor for cherishing dreams and imagining new realities. In her work, the artist examines the role of fantasy as a tool for hope and change, where dreaming is not an escape but an opportunity and a skill to perceive the world differently. The artwork encourages us to ask what would happen if we imagined more?

Born in Kuopio and raised in Leppävirta, Kaija Hinkula graduated as a visual artist from South Karelia University of Applied Sciences and holds a Master's degree in visual arts from the Uniarts Helsinki's Academy of Fine Arts. She currently lives in Oulu. She has held several solo exhibitions and has participated in group exhibitions both in Finland and abroad. In 2025, Hinkula worked as a resident artist at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York, supported by the Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts and the Saastamoinen Foundation.