Riina Laine, 2nd Place Winner

Winner of the Winter 2014 Competition

Em*Bodied Art

An exploration of how figurative art has evolved, using the body as a canvas, as a focal point, as inspiration.

REVIVAL

cropped image of body painting

40 x 60 cm

photograph available for sale

artist statement

As an artist I have wanted to concentrate on the possibilities of body painting as independent abstract art. My focus and desire is to explore the dimensions of the human body and how it unites with the painting, light and space, how the contours of the body become obscure and these elements create multi-layered views and impressions. I am greatly inspired by colours and abstract forms found in nature, however, essentially I follow my intuition and the subconscious flow of my creative process. I'm also greatly inspired by my models, their stories and background, and I often combine the feelings they bring up in me with my own ideas.

"Revival" is a part of my Storm series. It was inspired by and painted on my very special friend. We all have our fights, mental, physical, they can take over years of our lives and sometimes feel too powerful to be beaten. But when there is a glimpse of light behind the clouds, it brings us hope. With hope, we get strength. And with strength, we start to believe.

bio

I've been drawing and painting all my life and have studied on various courses including A'level in Fine Art. However, I found my real path when I came across body painting at make-up college. When attending the World Bodypainting Festival in 2007, my passion for body art really set off and I began to concentrate on the fine art side of it. In the beginning I worked with a photographer, but for the past few years I have taken the photos myself.

From the start I have wanted to concentrate on the possibilities of body painting as independent abstract art. The special feature about body painting is it’s disposability, but within my photographs they reach another level and another life. The moves of my model change the painting and the final piece if often born with a random improvised pose. Most of my works are rather big in size (70-120cm). The size means that with a closer look the skin and its texture can be seen and then yet another element in the piece is revealed.

I had my first solo exhibition "Bodyscapes" in May 2012 at ArtSpace gallery in Helsinki, Finland. In 2011 I was chosen by the International Fine Art Body Painting Association as an honorary member and one of the 10 best fine art body painters worldwide. This recognition and being awarded second in the world at The World Bodypainting Festival 2013 in Austria for for my skills have encouraged me as an artist and made me committed to advancing fine art body painting around the world.

EXHIBITIONS

International Bodypainting Exhibition. Group exhibition. Make-up Artfair. Soeul, South-Korea. 2013

Fine art exhibition for the Chelko Foundation. Group exhibition. Living Art America - Bodies as work of art. Atlanta. USA. 2013.

"Bodyscapes" - fine art body painting exhibition. Solo exhibition. Gallery ArtSpace, Helsinki. 2012

The Professional Make-up Artists of Finland . Group exhibition. The Beauty Show, Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. 2010

RiinaLaine-2nd Place Winner

riina laine

helsinki [FINLAND]

riina@riinamakeup.com

www.riinabodyart.com

ArtSceneToday Q&A

Q: Where do you see yourself in the art scene today?

A: I am fairly new to the art scene as I have concentrating on my art more for the past few years. In Finland fine art body painting is not yet recognized as much, so I feel I am kind of the one setting the way for this art form. I am more known abroad and especially in the body painting scene, and I am happy to be part of this movement that this art form is currently on.

Q: What is in your inspiration?

A: I am greatly inspired by colours and abstract forms found in nature, but also everyday things happening around me. Most often I follow my intuition and the subconscious flow when painting, but there is always an emotion behind it. I paint my beliefs and what I feel at that specific moment. I'm also greatly inspired by my models, their stories and background, and I often combine the feelings they bring up in me with my own ideas.

Q: What are your challenges?

A: The challenge for me is to get my art out there for people to see. This is because fine art body painting is still fairly unknown artform. It is not always considered fine art and therefore getting grants and exhibition spaces proves to be tricky. However, there are many amazing artists around the world and we all strive to make fine art body painting better known, and I know we will succeed.

Q: How did you/do you choose your medium?

A: I have always loved painting and drawing, but when I first tried body painting it was a mind blowing experience. It's the energy I get to share with my model/models, the interaction with them, that makes this artform very natural to me. You get to share something profound through paint and the model brings my art to life through their body, it is very special.

Q: Which artist has influenced you the most?

A: There are many artists who inpire me with different ways, some with their work, some with their ideas, some who I know personally inpire me with their personality and views. However, if I had to mention one, it would have to be Georgia O'Keeffe whose work I became familiar with at college.

other works by the artist

GO TO

Em*Bodied Art

Exhibition Page