M HKA Ensembles

° 1968

Born in Hämeenlinna (FI).

Jukka Korkeila (b. 1968) is considered one of the most important Finnish artists of his generation. He studies architecture and painting, first in Helsinki and later in Berlin. His paintings and sculptures are part of greater wholes that express themselves in extremes. He often makes wall-filling compositions with figurative images from popular culture, which he combines with abstract colour panes, slogans and quotes, and recurring patterns that refer to Andy Warhol. His portraits, in turn, stand out because of their graphic complexity and a daring but controlled use of colour. An important theme in his fragmented world is that of overrated masculinity: bellies and thighs swell, penises and ties slither across them, tears are mixed with semen. The artist hides his provocations under a cloak of playful innocence, volatility and excess, that draw the viewer into a contradictory world of doubt, humour and annoyance.

Text: Hans Willemse
Translations: Michael Meert