Hanna Kanto's work consists of painting and installation. The research is based on the interaction of North and artistic work. The artist is fascinated by the authenticity of the reindeer herding and its strong relationship with the nature. Life in the North also clearly illustrates the conflicts of modern life and old traditions. The thematic arc of her art is built upon a concern for the disappearance of its rich nature and unique cultural environment.

Her latest artistic project started by researching the history of expeditions in Lapland. During the 18th to 20th centuries the North, its nature and life itself were unveiled by new findings. In the artistic work the artist assumes a position of an explorer and adapt their methodology on the  artistic work. From summer 2018 the project shifted focus to the modern science in Enontekiö, the northest part of Finnish Lapland. Co-operation was initiated with scientists from the group called BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab. Their work is focused on the spatial and temporal modelling of Earth systems, as biogeography and climatology, and their interactions. By using modern research equipment and statistical modelling, the researchers observe phenomena which might be invisible for a human eye. The time spent on the field and results of the phenomena observing  become the core of Kanto's latest art practice. The connections between the elements take place at different levels, and the changes in them mutually affect each other. The set themes emerge repeatedly in the paintings due to the layered character of the artistic practice. 

Curriculum Vitae (selected)

Hanna Kanto b.1981

Lives and works in Helsinki, Finland

Represented by Domeij Gallery, Stockholm


Studies

2019- Academy of Fine Arts, Master`s Program

2007 University of Lapland, Master of Fine Arts, Finland

2001 School of Art in Liminka, Finland


Upcoming exhibitions and residencies

2021 Korpelarörelse, Kiruna, Sweden

2022 Korundi, Rovaniemi, Finland


Solo exhibitions

2019 tm•gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2018 InTheRackRoom, Berlin, Germany

2017 Piteå Konsthall, Sweden

2017 Domeij Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

2016 Oulu Art Museum, Finland

2015 Aine Art Museum, Tornio, Finland (two person show)

2015 Kinokuniya Gallery, Sapporo, Japan (two person show)

2015 Gallery Lindberg, Luleå, Sweden

2015 Gallery Lokomotiv, Övik, Sweden

2014 Gallery Korjaamo, Helsinki, Finland

2013 Gallery Syster, Supermarket Art Fair, Sweden

2011 tm•gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2009 Gallery Voima, Kemi, Finland

2009 Gallery Napa, Rovaniemi, Finland

2008 Skierri, Hetta, Finland

Joint and group exhibitions and workshops

2020 Kuvan kevät, Helsinki, Finland

2019 Luleå konsthall, Luleå, Sweden

2018 GlogauAIR, Berlin, Germany

2017 Nordisk Salong, Helsingborg, Sweden

2017 Videoart montage on icebreaker MSV Nordica during the Arctic Circle Assembly with Katrín I. Jónsdóttir Hjördísardóttir, Reykjavik, Iceland

2017 Arctic Art Week, Kakslauttanen, Finland

2017 Exhibition turné with Rawaa Khiyachi, Sunderby, Älvsby, Arjeplog, Överkalix, Korpilombolo, Haparanda

2017 SÍM Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland

2017 tmgalleria, Supermarket Art Fair, Tukholma, Ruotsi

2016 Young Arctic Artists, Galleri Napa, Finland

2016 Lumipalloefekti 3, Kemi Art Museum

2015 The Art Center Purnu, Finland

2015 KiN Jubileumsutställning, Korundi, Finland

2015 Norrbottens Ambassad för Konst, Stockholm, Sweden

2014 Rare Gallery, New York, USA

2014 Willem II factory in Den Bosch, Netherlands

2014 Kulturens Hus, Luleå, Sweden

2014 Lumipalloefekti, Korundi, Rovaniemi, Finland

2014 Market Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden

2013 Domeij Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

2013 SAK 2013 års vinstutställning, Sven-Harrys konstmuseum

2013 Domeij Gallery, Stockholm

2013 Napa Gallery, Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden

2012 Men of Forest, Salo Art Museum, Finland

2012 Lumipalloefekti, Oulu Art Museum, Finland

2012 Nordkalottkonferans, Harstad, Norway

2012 Napapaita, Valo gallery, Rovaniemi, Finland

2012 G12, Kuopio, Finland

2012 Graffit-workshop, Storfjord språksenter, Norway

2011 University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland

2011 International Plein-air Painting Nierbylec, Poland

2011 Lappia!, Kemi Art Museum, Finland

2011-08 Nattfestival, Korpilombolo, Sweden

2010 SkjL 10, Järvenpää Art Museum, Finland

2010 Elektrohaus, Hamburg, Germany

2010 NOW, Kaapelintehdas, Helsinki, Finland

2010 Mänttä XV Art Festival, Finland

2010 NOW, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Finland

2009 SkjL 09, Kouvola Art Museum, Finland


Scholarships and prizes

2020 Saskia prize

2020 Anita Snellman Fondation

2020 ½-year grant, Arts Council of Lapland

2019 Arts Council of Lapland

2018 Nordisk salong, Helsingborg, Sweden, 1. prize

2015-14 Norrbottens läns landsting

2015 3-year grant, Finnish Cultural Foundation

2015 Arts Council of Lapland

2015 Norrbotten Läns Landsting

2015 The Paulo Foundation

2014 ½-year grant, Alfred Kordelin Foundation

2013 Arts Council of Lapland

2012 ½-year grant, Finnish Cultural Foundation (Regional)

2012 Arts Council of Lapland

2011 Travel Grant, Arts Council of Lapland

2011 ½-year grant, Arts Council of Lapland

2010 Arts Council of Lapland

2010 The Paulo Foundation

2010 Travel Grant, Arts Council of Lapland

2009 Arts Council of Lapland

2009 Finnish Cultural Foundation (Regional)

2003 University of Lapland


Works in collections


The State Art Collection

The National Public Art Council of Sweden

Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation

Aine-, Kemi-, Rovaniemi – and Oulu Museum of Art

Carnegie -, LKAB-, Svefi- and Nordea konstförening

Stockholms-, Norrbotten-, Västerbottens- and Uppsala läns landsting

City of Tornio, - Rovaniemi, - Haparanda, - Luleå and – Oulu


Memberships

Finnish Painters’ Union

Fine Art Association of Lapland

BUS


Residencies

2018 Hôtel Chevillon, Residence of Finnish Cultural Institute, France

2018 Berlin Sessions Residency, Berlin

2017 SÍM Residency, Reykjavik, Iceland

2016 Ars Bioarctica Residency, Kilpisjärvi

2015 Residence of Northern Arts Collaboration, Sapporo, Japan

2014 Residence of Finnish Cultural Institute in New York, USA

2013 Residence of Arts Council of Lapland, Berlin, Germany

2011 International Plein-air Painting Nierbylec 2011, Poland

2010 Lassagammi, Skibotten, Norway

2010 Residence of Arts Council of Lapland, Berlin, Germany


www.hannakanto.com, 

  kantohanna@gmail.com

+35844 049 3697 

@kantohanna



Foto: Saku Soukka