Heidi Ukkonen

Heidi Ukkonen is a contemporary artist whose paintings explore themes of relationships, anguish, and suffering. 

Biography of Heidi Ukkonen

Heidi Ukkonen was born in 1980. She obtained her BFA and MFA in painting from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in 2015. Much of the artist's inspiration stems from her experiences in the vibrant city of Antwerp, where she has resided and worked since completing her studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Ukkonen has served as a project coordinator in several noteworthy exhibitions, including "Cowboys and Aliens" at Kunstpodium T in Tilburg (2019), "No Sweat" at Overamstel Uitgevers in Antwerp (2019), "GIFC" in Antwerp (2019), "Bob's your uncle," "The ball is in your court," and "Screw your courage to the sticking place" at Showhouse Jay Jay in Antwerp (2018), and many others.

Her art has been exhibited in various international venues, including Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London, Ruby Gallery in Brussels, Galerij LJ in Paris, Moosey Gallery in Norwich, Lorin Gallery in Los Angeles, PLUS-ONE Gallery in Antwerp, Gallery Sofie Van de Velde in Antwerp, and numerous others.

Heidi Ukkonen's Art Style

Heidi Ukkonen's paintings delve into the exploration of mundane themes, focusing on topics like relationships, anguish, and suffering. Through her playfully deformed animations, she offers a depiction of contemporary life. Her artworks are distinguished by the incorporation of materials such as acrylic, oil paint, and spray paint, which add texture to her creations.

Her creative process often starts towards the end of each day, and through a series of trial and error, she brings forth explosive, colorful, and humorous works. Heidi's artistic influences include renowned artists such as Philip Guston, Henri Matisse, and Hieronymus Bosch. Drawing from their works, she aims to transport her audience into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, ugliness becomes beauty, and pain becomes humor.