Printmaker Irmeli Kukkapuro

Irmeli Kukkapuro (b. 1934) has made a long career as a visual artist. She started as a painter in 1950's and changed first to mixed media, then to graphics.

Irmeli Kukkapuro (b. 1934) has made a long career as a visual artist. She started as a painter in 1950's and changed first to mixed media, then to graphics.

She graduated from Craft College with major in decorative painting in 1957. Later in the 70's she studied in the Free Art School with graphic designer Pentti Kaskipuro as her teacher, together with for example Outi Heiskanen and Kaarina Kaila, both well-known names in Finnish art.

From metal graphics, drypoint and aquatint techniques, in the 1980's Irmeli Kukkapuro, as a student of printmaker Erkki Hervo, switched to woodcut graphics using Japanese wood tile and watercolour techniques.

In the 90's, Irmeli Kukkapuro’s work grew into powerful compositions with dynamically powerful abstract colour surfaces. By combining constructivist forms with hand-engraved woodcut bases and mystical patterns, the art of Kukkapuro formed into a distinctive mix of traditional woodcuts and modern abstract art.

In the 2000's Irmeli Kukkapuro has experimented again with mixed media, this time using rowan plank, leaf gold, drawing and watercolour painting as materials. After these monotypes a series of paintings followed with subjects flowing from the subconscious, reflecting early paintings from the beginning of the 60's.

Irmeli Kukkapuro has always printed all her work herself in her own studio, where she works together with her husband Yrjö Kukkapuro. Studio Kukkapuro was open for public during the World Design Capital 2012 year, when over 1000 people visited it in just over a month. Irmeli's works aroused great enthusiasm during the event.

Irmeli Kukkapuro and designer Yrjö Kukkapuro have worked together in the same working environment since 1957. Yrjö Kukkapuro recognizes Irmeli's sense of colour and form, which for decades has provided inspiration for his own designs.

You can see Irmeli Kukkapuro's graphics in Yrjö Kukkapuro pop-up in the Kämp Garden’s Garden Room, in the first floor of Kämp Galleria shopping centre. The exhibition displays Irmeli Kukkapuro's watercolour graphics from 1982-1990. The exhibition is open until 28.9 on weekdays 11-19 and on Saturdays 10-17 at Pohjoisesplanadi 33.

Some of the works on display in the Irmeli Kukkapuro exhibition are for sale. Enquiries Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, [email protected]