B. 1969 Laukaa, Finland
ilkka.sariola(at)gmail.com
Studio at Roihupelto, Helsinki
https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilkka_Sariola
Languages: Finnish – mother tongue
English: fluent
Swedish: good
Education: Master of Arts and Master of Theology
Ilkka Sariola (b.1969)
I am an artist, theologian and lutheran priest, living and working in Helsinki. I have lived a peculiar career. Year 1995 I graduated from Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki and after that I made 10 year career and became well known as a skillful drawing and performance artist. Year 2004 I exhibited at Gallery Kluuvi, Helsinki. That was the end of first half of my career as an artist. I started to study theology at University of Helsinki and I was ordinated as priest 2010 and worked five years at Kallio congregation. Year 2018 I made a spectacular comeback exhibition ”Shit Happens” in Gallery Orton, Helsinki. Although process has already started few years earlier when I painted my first passion crucifix after old Italian tradition. Also my old love to draw reemerged. Since then I have exhibited regularly.
I have been working for 2019-2022 with a large scale drawing series called ”Dies Irae – Day of Wrath”. Parts of the series have been shown in Porvoo Kunsthalle, Gallery Rankka, ”Murdumised” group exhibition in Evald Okas museum, Haapsalu Estonia and in international group exhibition ”Moderation – Cooperation – Equality” at old shopping centre Hämeenlinna. Practicing performance artist I have been since year 1988. For example years 1996-1998 I performed ”Rocking chair” in all five Nordic countries. A performance ”Line” I performed at Helsinki Performance Art Symposium autumn 2021. I am also known of my two crucifixes: ”Crucifix of Holy Saturday” at Kallio church and ”Crucifix of Peace” at St. Paul´s church Helsinki. My works have been exhibited in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Germany and Italy.
I have taught drawing at Academy of Fine Arts and Free Art school Helsinki. My works are at collections of HAM, Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Alvar Aalto Museum, Academy of Fine Art and also many private collections.
Hobbies: Fishing using different methods from fly fishing to ice fishing, hiking and kettle bell. Younger I practiced martial arts achieving 1st dan black belt in Wado ryu -karate year 1995.