Reija Palo-oja
Fragile
15.8.–8.9.2024

The Fragile exhibition at Galleria Huuto features paintings that are based on compositions created using various fragments. In these compositions, repeated shapes, surfaces, colors and marks form proposals for structures that barely hold together. These structures made up of floating, indirectly related patterns are tangibly tentative and ambivalent, like memories engraved in one’s mind.

The works have been inspired by details on building, wall and street surfaces as well as Antoni Gaudí’s mosaics, photographed during residency periods in Italy and Spain. Thematically, the works are a continuation of the Fragmentti (“Fragment”) series created in 2022 and 2023. The paintings featured at the Fragile exhibition are like protective surfaces that provide shelter when the complex and fragmented world is raging around us.

Palo-oja is known for her long-term thematic work and the examination and reflection of expression, which is also seen in these works. The key elements include expressive sensitivity, intuition, immateriality and a trust in the expressive power of painting.

Reija Palo-oja earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in 2001. Since then, she has had several solo exhibitions and taken actively part in joint exhibitions. Palo-oja lives and works in Turku. Her works are included in the collections of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), Finnish State, Helsinki Art Museum (HAM), Finnish Art Society and the City of Turku.