Interview: Taru Piharinne
Luca Curci talks with Taru Piharinne during FUTURE LANDSCAPES, second appointment of SENSES ART FAIR 2024, in Rome.

I’m a 33-year-old self-taught artist from Finland. I’ve always been creative and painted since my childhood. When I was a child I preferred to use oil colours and paint mostly landscapes and animals. When my sister and brother played ice hockey and floorball – I painted. It’s relaxing to create but at the same time, it’s difficult and challenging. I struggle am I good enough – I think everyone feels like that sometimes. But then, when I stop overthinking it’s going to be the way it should be. When I grew up, the art remained but the tools changed. After I graduated I started to paint cars in the local car painting shop. I also bought my first airbrush and started to paint motorcycles, helmets, vans, leather jackets – you name it. At the same time I learned how to do tattoos and today I have had my own tattoo shop since 2014. I get to fulfil myself in many different ways and I’m thankful for that. Today I mostly paint with acrylics and also like to mix different styles. There is a lot of emotion and intuition in my work. The best part is to start painting without knowing what’s coming!

Luca Curci – What is the trigger that leads you to paint?
Taru Piharinne – I think I paint because I feel – and as long as I feel, I paint. There is a lot of emotion and intuition in my work. Some daily issues and feelings come into my paintings – music, family, nature etc. It’s nice to start painting without knowing what’s coming!

LC – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
TP – I have always been creative and painted since my childhood. As I grew up the art remained but the techniques and tools changed. Now I have my own tattoo shop and I get to fulfil myself in many different ways.

LC – How is your creative process?
TP – I’m really intuitive painter. If I don’t have the right feeling there’s no point doing anything – even if I wanted, it doesn’t work out if the mood is wrong. Mostly I just start painting and what will come, comes. Sometimes it’s really annoying because I wanted so badly to finish some work but it just takes time to have a mood to do it.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
TP – I don’t think I have a specific theme or style. I like mixing different styles and techniques so every canvas has its own story. But for some reason, I like to paint faces. Usually feminine faces – I don’t know why. It might be that after all there are some different sides of me that I paint out. Some people say that artists need to focus on one theme or style – I don’t feel like that. Sounds boring to me.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
TP – Being creative is everything to me. In my case it’s art. It’s my way to stop thinking, to run out for a moment. Sometimes I really bleed my soul out onto the canvas so yeah, I could say it is a means of expression to me. It’s not a hobby or a job – it is a part of me.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
TP – At the exhibition, I present my artwork called ”My true colors”. This past year has been really tough for me and at the same time the best time of my life. I remember it was a really hot summer day here in Finland (yes, we also have summer here – it’s short but we have it !) and I was full of joy and happiness when I painted this. I was on my summer holidays and everything was just great. This time the painting came really easy – just like that and it was ready to rumble. It’s my happy piece and I hope you like it as much as I do.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
TP – The concept of the exhibition spoke to me and I’m looking forward to my own future landscape. The journey of my life has already changed in many ways and the future is still to come. I believe that on this path we are given what we are ready to receive.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
TP – I think this is a great opportunity for me and all the other artists too! Let’s see where this will take us and what’s coming next.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
TP – Cooperation with you is easy and smooth. Friendly and encouraging. I also feel that it doesn’t matter if you are a hobbyist or a professional, you are still welcome. Art belongs to everyone, everything has its place.