An interview with visual artist and art teacher Merja Salonen Di Giorgio
Who are you?
I am Merja Salonen di Giorgio and I have been teaching art subjects at the Helsinki Adult Education Centre for about ten years. I am a visual artist by education and have a Master of Arts degree from TaiK, now Aalto, where I graduated at the turn of the millennium. At that time, there was a Pallas Master of Fine Arts programme that focused purely on visual arts. Before that, I attended the Imatra Art Institute, which is now called Saimia.
Tell us about your work as a visual artist and art teacher!
I have always been extremely fascinated by human traces in cultural environments. Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by, for example, ancient ruins, thousands of year old pots, worn surfaces, walls… there is something mysterious about them. Every place has its own special quality, the spirit of the place, which also gives me fuel for making art. Synesthesia also influences my work. I easily see smells and sounds as colors. I paint mostly with oil paints on canvas and mixed media on paper, usually alternating in periods so that I get variety. I teach painting, drawing and art history from the perspective of a visual artist. I have also taught two-year basic visual arts education and advanced studies at an adult education center when it is organized. I put a lot of emphasis on material studies, because knowing the material is important for anyone who makes pictures. And I like many materials myself, so it is natural to teach them: oil, acrylic, gouache, pastels, watercolors, mixed media…
What do you want to give your students?
I want to give each student personal instruction in the techniques and things they are interested in, guide them in their own work, let them push their limits if they want, maybe surprise themselves! I have received feedback from students that I have taught them to see more. That is exactly what it is about.
Why is it worth taking art courses?
When you immerse yourself in what you are doing, you also detach yourself from everyday life. When painting, you are at your best 100% present in the moment. Time disappears. Painting or drawing can also be an exercise in presence. So important for the brain, especially these days! Many students say that they feel refreshed during the class and in fact I do too. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful. Painting is a pretty comprehensive experience and you can be a part of this even with a short course. In courses, you can make friends, have experiences, broaden your perspectives. In courses, you meet like-minded people and can delve into interesting things. Because studying at a community college is based on volunteering, you can get the most out of the courses and benefit from them without having to complete them. Art is a slow and beautiful art.
Merja Salonen di Giorgio
visual artist and art teacher
Photos: Paula Kukkonen and Martin de Arriba, Unsplash