Liisi Myllykangas: Rooted

Kankaanpää Gallery is currently exhibiting Liisi Myllykangas’s monotypes — colorful, framed, one-of-a-kind paintings created using a printmaking technique. The title of the exhibition, ROOTED, refers to the Kankaanpää-born artist’s roots in the town.

The exhibition features Liisi Myllykangas’s recent works, as well as pieces from earlier years, including some from her watercolor period.

For the past ten years, the artist has focused on creating monotypes. In the 1980s and 1990s, watercolors inspired her to explore visual expression. Her professional career was spent in managerial and specialist positions, after which studying painterly printmaking opened up a new direction in her artistic practice: monotypes.

Monotypes and watercolors share certain similarities, as the artwork is created relatively quickly and does not allow for changes or additions afterwards. What makes monotypes particularly fascinating is their spontaneous nature, and each monotype is unique and one of a kind.

The inspiration for the works often comes from colors or shapes, while nature in its many forms is also reflected in the artwork. Visuality, color, and harmony are important to the artist. She works intuitively and, in most cases, without a precise plan.

The works are created with a palette knife and roller on a plate, which is then pressed onto paper using a printing press. As a technique, monotype is fascinating and offers countless possibilities and forms of expression that can be further developed. The technique has attracted considerable interest, and the artist has also given demonstrations and led monotype workshops for small groups.

“In my works, I want to marvel at the abundance and nuances of colors found in nature, as well as its diversity, and to express the beauty and harmony that the world around us is especially in need of right now.”

Free entrance