Jyrki Parantainen always seeks to further his conceptual approaches and working methods. His artistic practice combines the photographic medium with other genres of art, engendering crossover formats that include both two- and three-dimensional elements. When producing new works, the phase of conception and preparation is a fundamental part of the creative process, which Parantainen likens to that of writing a script for a film. However, chance plays a large role in his artistic process as well. Influenced by Anselm Kiefer, he engages with social themes and psychological phenomena, addressing subjects such as violence, anxiety, and vulnerability. His work explores the fundamentals of human existence—life and death, flesh and blood, love and hate—infused with an undertone of absurdist humor.
Jyrki Parantainen (*1962 in Tampere, Finland) lives and works in Helsinki. He graduated from the University of Art and Design, Helsinki (now Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture) in 1992, where he used to be a Professor of Photographic Art. Among his numerous exhibitions are the notable solo shows Dreams and Disappointments at Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki (2006), Fire at The Finnish National Gallery Ateneum, Helsinki (1998), and the group show Magnetic North, The New Art Gallery, Walsall (2001). Other exhibitions include the solo show Between Heaven and Earth, at Gallery Heino, Helsinki (2012), and the group shows Helsinki School, at Christophe Guye Galerie, Zurich (2011), and Tru(E)motion: The Helsinki School at the Daegu Photo Biennale (2010). Parantainen was awarded the Fotofinlandia Prize in 1989 and the National Arts Council Suomi Prize in 1998.
