In the Layers of Being

In the Layers of Being presents works by four artists from the Päijät-Häme region who examine the human body and human experience from diverse perspectives. The exhibition centres on the work of painter Maria Laine and sculptor Marianne Siri, accompanied by a video and audio piece created specifically for this exhibition by visual artist Sami Leutola and dance artist Meri-Tuuli Risberg. 

Laine’s meticulously rendered oil paintings draw viewers in with their realism, yet maintain a deliberate sense of composure and distance. Siri’s sculptures place the human body at the forefront, addressing themes such as biodiversity loss, intergenerational heritage, and a critique of contemporary consumerism. The works on display are crafted from plaster, ceramics, and acrylic resin. 

Across the exhibition, the artists share a fascination with the details of the human form, close observation, the shifting boundaries of perception, and transience. Their processes are layered and time-intensive; allowing time to guide the work lends each piece a heightened sense of focus and presence. 

The exhibition showcases new, previously unseen works by all four artists alongside pieces from Malva’s art collection. 

The exhibition has received a state grant from the Finnish Heritage Agency.