Saana Murtti
ceramic artist
CV
Saana Riikka Kristiina Murtti
b. 1974, Helsinki, Finland, lives and works in Helsinki, Finland
Contact:
saanamurtti@hotmail.com
www.saanamurtti.com
+358 (0) 50 548 0068
ART EDUCATION
2013 Master of Arts, Aalto-University, Department of Art (Helsinki, Finland)
2002 Master of Arts in Ceramics, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (U.K)
1997-98 Institute of Art Ceramics, Höhr - Grenzhausen (Germany)
1999 Ceramic Artisan, Kuopio Institute of Art and Design (Finland)
1994-95 Västra Nylands Folkhögskola, artline (Karjaa)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 Ceramic sculptures, Saana Murtti, Salo Art Museum, Finland, Solo exhibition
2022 Beyond Preconceptions, HAA gallery, Suomelinna, Helsinki, Finland, Solo exhibition
2016 Stony Cloths, Laajasalo Church, Finland (invitational exhibition)
2013 Beyond Presence, Gallery Arabia, Helsinki, Finland
2012 Disappearances, Gallery Huuto Uudenmaankatu, Helsinki, Finland
2012 Gallery Lume, Helsinki, Finland
2005 Arabia Museum Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2003 Gallery Septaria Cable Factory, Helsinki, Finland
AWARDS
2014 Honorable Mention, The 10th International Ceramics Festival ́14 Mino, Japan
ARTIST TALKS
Nordic Hands, Symposium, Artist talk, Saana Murtti, MA Ceramic artist, On her artistic work in a
phenomenological perspective, 22.9.2018, Godsbanen Art – and Culture Centre, Aarhus, Denmark
(www.hintproject.dk)
ACTIVITIES
2012-13 Arabia Art Department Society, visiting Artist
2019 ´The Human Approach´, Aalto-University Art collection, Finland
2019 (October) Book launch in Pompidou Centre, Paris ´CERAMIQUE 90 ARTISTES
CONTEMPORAINS´, Pyramyd, Maison d´édition consacree au design, á la création et á la
culture visuelle, Parutions rentrée 2019. Kirjoittajat: Charlotte Vannier, Véronique Pettit
Laforet. (www.pyramyd-editions.com)
2020 (July) Book release: Contemporary Ceramic Art, Thames & Hudson, written by Charlotte
Vannier and Véronique Pettit Laforet (www.thamesandhudson.com)
2021-2023 Chairman of the Ceramic Association and Workshop Pot Viapori
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS ABROAD
2024-25 THE XIII INTERNATIONAL CERAMICS BIENNIAL OF EL VENDRELL, Spain.
2024 Musée Magnelli, Musée de la céramique, The 26th International Biennale – Contemporary Ceramics and Creation, 6.7. - 30/09/2024, Vallauris, France. My work is also included in the exhibition of the art-pedagogical project, which will continue until 21 October 2024.
2023 Musée D´Arts de Nantes, France, Hyper Sensible. Un regard sur la sculpture hyperréaliste, https://museedartsdenantes.nantesmetropole.fr/hyper-sensible, (invitational exhibition)
2020 Handwerksform Hannover: Handmade in Europe, Hannover, Germany
2019 Blanc de Chine International Ceramic art award works exhibition, Peking, China
http://en.blancdechineicaa.com/game2019/works.html
http://en.blancdechineicaa.com/#page2
2018 Nordic Hands, Hintproject, www.hintproject.dk, 16. – 22.9.2018, The Cultural Production Center
Godsbanen, Aarhus, Denmark (with Sanne Ransby, Mariko Wada and John
Rauschstein)
2018 Asuurkeraamika, Loewenschede Tower, Muinaisjutud ja tõsilood, (with Pot
Viapori), Tallinn, Estonia
2017 Oregaard Museum, Hellerup, Olo-Maerkbart, Denmark
2015 Révélations, Grand Palais Paris: Magic language/game of whispers, Paris, France (invitational
-
exhibition)
2015 Gallery Officinet, Copenhagen, Denmark
2015 Vendyssel Kunst Museum, Scandinavian Ceramic Exhibition, Hjorring, Denmark (invitational
exhibition)
2015 Handwerkskammer Hannover, Angewandte Kunst aus Finnland, Hannover, Germany
2014 The 10th International Ceramics Fesitval ´14 Mino, Japan
2014 XXIIIrd International Biennal of Vallauris, Contemporary Creation and Ceramic, France
2013 Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn
2009 Flow Gallery, Lontoo, U.K.
2002 Howard Gardens Gallery, Cardiff, U.K
2000 Hantwerkskammer Koblenz, Germany
1999 Hantwerkskammer Koblenz, Germany
1997 Formhaus, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS IN FINLAND
2024 My Home Somewhere 12.1.-1.9.2024, Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, Finland, https://www.artsimuseo.com/eng/myhomesomewhere (invitational exhibition)
2022 The Craft Museum of Finland, The Place – Ceramic studio Pot Viaporis 50 anniversary
exhibition, Jyväskylä
2022 The Old Machinery Hall, Suomenlinna, The Place – Ceramic studio Pot Viaporis 50
anniversary exhibition, Helsinki
2022 Voipaala Art Centre, With the naked Eye, joint exhibition, Valkeakoski
2021 Teos 2021, exhibition by the Association of Finnish Sculptors, Suvilahti, Helsinki
2020 Gallery G12, group exhibition with Kirsi Kivivirta, Arni Aromaa, Aura Kajas, Katja
Kotikoski, Johanna Ojanen & Tiina Tarvainen, Helsinki
2020 Voipaala Art Centre, Ceramega 2020 – Exhibition on Finnish ceramics plus additional
Estonian group. 96 artists, Valkeakoski
2019 Art goes Kapakka Festival, restaurant Krog Roba, Helsinki
2018 About Clay, European Ceramic Art Exhibition, Fiskars Village, Copper Smithy, Fiskars,
(invitational exhibition)
2018 Pyhäniemi summer exhibition, Hollola (invitational exhibition)
2017 Gallery Lokal, Oi Suomi, katso!, joint exhibition Helsinki, Finland
2017 Päämajamuseum Mikkeli, State of the Art – Contemporary Art, The State Art Collection of
Finland, Mikkeli
The Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland, State of the Art – Contemporary Art, The State Art
Collection of Finland, Riihimäki
2017 Varkaus Artmuseum, Out and About, group exhibition, Varkaus
2016 Kouvola Artmuseum Poikilo, Olo Maekbart, joint exhibition, Kouvola
2016 Gallery Art Kaarisilta, Koskettavin veistos 2016 (by Association of Finnish Sculptors), Helsinki
2015 Gallery Pentik, Arctic Clay, joint exhibition, Posio, Finland
2015 Gallery K, Out and About, group exhibition, Vantaa, Finland
2015 Maila Talvio salonki, Vanha-Koskipään kartano, Hartola, Finland (invitational exhibition)
2014 Design Museum Helsinki, Ceramics & Space – Finnish Ceramic Art Exhibition, joint exhibition,
Helsinki
2014 Bukowskis presents – The Art and Design of tomorrow, joint exhibition, Helsinki
2014 Fiskars Village Copper Smithy, Blurred Lines, Fiskars (invitational exhibition)
2014 Ars Auttoinen, ´Tyhjä täyttä täydempää´, Auttoinen (invitational exhibition)
2014 Untamala Culture Centre, Untamala, Finland (invitational exhibition)
2014 Gallery Kappalainen´s House, Porvoo, Artists O – Out and About, group exhibition, Porvoo
2014 Gallery Arabia, Arabia Art Department Societys 10th anniversary exhibition, joint exhibition, Helsinki
2013 Gallery Johan S, Contemporary Ceramic Art from Denmark and Finland, group exhibition, Helsinki
2013 Nuutajärvi, Vanhan hytin halli, ´Juhlat´, Nuutajärvi and Arabia Art Departments joint
exhibition, Nuutajärvi
2013 Mältinranta Artcenter/Tampere Artist´s Association (with Tiia Matikainen and Tytti Korin), Tampere
2012 Gallery Arabia, joint exhibition with Arabia Art Department Society
2012 Annantalo Arts Centre, Helsinki, (with Elisa Rovamo), Helsinki
2012 Lahti Art Museum, Metamorphosis´12 - New Finnish Design, joint exhibition, Lahti
2012 Voipaala Art Centre, Ceramega 12, joint exhibition, Valkeakoski
2012 Gallery Art Kaarisilta (Helsinki, Finland)
2011 Gallery Maaret Finnberg (with Tiia Matikainen and Tytti Korin), Turku
2007 Åland Art Museum, Åland, Finland (invitational exhibition)
2007 Gallery Pictor, Nummela, joint exhibition, Finland
2006 Gallery Elverket ,Tammisaari, Finland (invitational exhibition)
2006 Gallery Sinne, Helsinki (invitational exhibition)
2005 Porvoo Art Factory, joint exhibition, Porvoo,
2004 Craft Museum of Finland, joint exhibition, Jyväskylä
2003 The National Museum of Finland, joint exhibition, Helsinki
2000 The Craft Museum of Lappeenranta, joint exhibition, Lappeenranta
1999 Design Forum, Helsinki
1999 Gallery 5, joint exhibition, Oulu
1998 Gallery Taitemia, Kuopio
1998 Gallery Into, Helsinki
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
2025 WAM Turku City Art Museum, Finland
2025 Fons d’Art del Vendrell, Spain
2023 Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, Finland
2019 ICAA, International Ceramic Art Award Committee Art Collection ´Blanc de Chine´, China
2018 Aalto-University Art Collection, Otaniemi/Espoo, Finland
Helsinki University Hospital Art Collection, Helsinki, Finland
Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan
The State Art Collection of Finland
Finnish Art Society Art Collection, Finland
Arabia Art Department Society´s Art Collection, Finland
Arctic Clay Collection, Posio, Finland
2005 Susiluoto Attorneys – at – Law Ltd, Finland
Private collections in Finland and abroad
MEMBERSHIPS
Association of Finnish Sculptors
Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo
Artists O
Kuvasto ry
Pot Viapori ry
GRANTS
2024 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, working grant
2024 Svenska Kulturfonden, participation in the 26th International Biennale – Contemporary Ceramics and Creation, Musée Magnelli, Musée de la céramique 6.7. - 30/09/2024, Vallauris, France.
2024 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, artist grant
2023 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, project grant, participation in an invitational exhibition in France
2022 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, working grant
2021 Arts promotion Centre Finland, koronagrant
2020 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, koronagrant
2019 The Swedish Cultural Foundation, project grant
2017 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, working grant 3 years
2016 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Uudenmaan rahasto, working grant / 3 months
2015 The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, travel grant / the International Ceramic Symposium, Posio, Finland
2014 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, working grant
Greta and William Lehtisen säätiö, project grant
The Finnish-Danish Cultural Foundation, project grant
Arts Promotion Centre, project grant
2013 Ornamo-foundation, Kaarina Aho´s fund, project grant
Arts Promotion Centre Finland, exhibition costs (work group)
Arts Promotion Centre Finland, exhibition costs (work group)
The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, project grant
2012 The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, working grant
2011 Uudenmaan taidetoimikunta, exhibition costs (work group)
The Finnish Cultural Foundation, exhibition costs (work group)
2010 The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, working grant
2008 The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, working grant
2007 Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Public display grant
The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, project grant
2006 The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, travel grant
2003 Gallery Septaria, exhibition stipend
2002 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, Master of Art studies in U.K.
2000 The Finnish Cultural Foundation, Master of Art studies in U.K.
2001 Professional Classes Aid Council London
RESIDENCES
2015 The 6th Arctic Clay Symposium, International Ceramic Symposium, Posio
2010 Källskär, Åland
2006 Kökar, Åland
PUBLICATIONS, THE MEDIA
2025 La Revue de la Céramique et du Verre, Juillet - Août 2025, Dossier Finlande, ZOOM Saana Murtti s.58, Aurélie Sécheret
2025 Salon seudun sanomat, Taide herättää eloon aikakausien hengen, Veturitallin näyttelyt tarjoavat tunnelmia, tarinoita ja pakoa menneisyyteen, s. 18-19, 17.5.2025, Minna Filppu
2025 La revue de la Céramique et du Verre, Mars – Avril 2025, Dossier/Dressing s. 66, Sabrina Silamo
2024 Royal Monaco Riviera , Art & Culture, 21.7.2024, Rédigé par ROYAL MONACO et publié depuis Overblog, Saana Murtti An Exeptional Finnish Artist
http://royalmonacoriviera.over-blog.com/2024/07/royal-monaco-saana-murtti.html
2024 Royal Arts Visions, 17.7.2024, Saana Murtti An Exeptional Finnish Artist
Exhibition Review: Polina Tkacheva, Artshebdomédias, Site D´information dédié á L´art Contemporain, Faire le Plein de sensations á la Biennale de Vallauris, 8.8.2024:
Faire le plein de sensations à la Biennale de Vallauris - ArtsHebdoMédias
Exhibition publication: Vallauris 2024 International Biennial, Contemporary creation and ceramics.
Silvana Editoriale, p. 46-47
Article: ACUMEN Expériences, Galerie Joseph Paris, La Sculpture Hyperréaliste, Encore!, Nantes, France, 25.5.2023 https://galeriejoseph.com/2023/05/25/la-sculpture-hyperrealiste-encore-acumen-35/
Exhibition Review: Colin Cyvoct, La céramique, avec brillance[archive]», sur Le Journal Des Arts, 13 octobre 2014 (consulté le 30 juin 2023)
Book: Hyper Sensible, Un regard sur la Sculpture Hyperréaliste, Musée D´arts de Nantes, Silvana Editoriale, 2023
Exhibition Review:Anne-Charlotte Michaut, « Le rapport entre œuvre, artiste et spectateur [archive] », sur Le Journal Des Arts, 27 juin 2023
Book: Pot Viapori, Paikka saarella. Editors: Camilla Groth, Liisa Ikävalko and Eeva Jokinen, 2022.
Saana Murtti: Yhteisöllisyys keramiikkataiteen kentällä, p. 110 – 121
Electronic exhibition catalogue: With the Naked Eye, Artists O Association, 2022, p. 22
https://artists-o.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/ilmo/paljain-silmin-nayttelykatalogi
Book: Contemporary Ceramic Art, Thames & Hudson, Charlotte Vannier and Veronique Pettit Laforet, 2020, p. 332 – 337
Exhibition Publication: Ceramega 2020, Särmä/Äär/Egde, Voipaalan Taidekeskus, p. 37
The Human Approach, School of Business Building Art Catalogue, 2019, p.13
Book: Contemporary Ceramic Art, Thames & Hudson, Charlotte Vannier & Véronique Pettit Laforet, 2020, p. 332-337 (www.thamesandhudson.com)
Book: CERAMIQUE 90 ARTISTES CONTEMPORAINS, Pyramyd, Maison d´édition consacree au design, á la création et á la culture visuelle, Parutions rentrée 2019. Kirjoittajat: Charlotte Vannier, Véronique Pettit Laforet, 2019, p. 332 – 337 (www.pyramyd-editions.com)
CGTN FRANCAIS, Le Journal: L´exposition des oeuvres du deuxiéme concours international de céramique intitule ´Blanc de Chine, Concours international d´art céramique à Beijing´, 23.6.2019 https://video.h5.weibo.cn/1034:4386301319795777/4386368807647935?from=singlemessage&isap pinstalled=0
Ceramics Monthly, issue September 2018, s.18 "Originally published in September 2018 issue of Ceramics Monthly, pages 18. http://www.ceramicsmonthly.org . Copyright, The American Ceramic Society. Reprinted with permission."
Publication: Nordic Hands, Published on the occasion of the laboratorium, symposium and exhibition NORDIC HANDS, Denmark 2018
Exhibition Publication, About Clay, European Ceramic Art, Curator Erna Aaltonen, 2018, p. 56-57
Exhibition Publication, Pyhäniemi 2018, Curator Riikka Latva-Somppi, 2018, p. 50-51
Hämeen Sanomat, Ursula Ryynänen, Riihimäen Vanha Lasitehdas sulautuu nykytaiteeseen, 28.6.2017
Warkauden lehti, Sirpa Ylönen, Teokset kommentoivat nykymenoa, Vakavia ja hauskoja huomioita itsestä ja yhteiskunnasta, 26.1.2017
Publication in Internet, Olo-Maerkbart Exhibition, Kouvola Artmuseum Poikilo 29.9.2016 – 8.1.2017, p.72 – 73, https://issuu.com/artists-o/docs/olo-maekbart-nayttelyluettelo
Ornamo Magazine nr 2/2016, The Artist of the Month, Saana Murtti, April 2016, p.40
Kunsthåndverk, The Nordic Issue, Marianne Zamecznic, Game of Whispers, volume 35/ issue 137/no 3, 2015, p.4-9
Exhibition publication: magic language / game of whispers, Contemporary craft from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, Nordic Craft Pavilion Révelations Grand Palais 2015, Paris, Object 13 Changing perception, by Saana Murtti, Finland
Lapin Kansa, Anu Jormalainen, Kansainvälinen keramiikka Posion pauloissa, 22.8.2015
Colin Cyvoct, La céramique, avec brillance[archive]», sur Le Journal Des Arts, 13 octobre 2014
Politiken, Lars Hedebo, Utställningen `Definition`, 8.1.2015, (Denmark) Exhibition publication, Ceramics & Space, 2014, p. 58-59
Exhibition publication, The 10th International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan, 2014, p. 113
Exhibition publication, The 10th Internationale Création Contemporaine et Céramique, Vallauris 2014, p. 66-67, 167-168
www.scandinaviandesign.com, Ceramics & Space exhibition Designmuseet, 1.10.2014
Hufvudstadsbladet, Synnove Rabb, Keramiken tar stolt plats, 1.11.2014
Aamulehti, Katri Kovasiipi, Tee taidematka Padasjoelle ja näe näkymätön, 4.8.2014
Uudenkaupungin Sanomat, Juhani Marttala, Kiviset kankaat valloittavat Untamalassa, 14.6.2014
Laitilan Sanomat, Ville Juuti, Taiteen moninaisuutta hienossa kulttuuriympäristössä, 10.6.2014
Västra Nyland, Camilla Lindberg, I gränslandet föds det nya, 17.5.2014
Borgåbladet, Egil Green, Materialbaserad konst förenar kvinnosextett, 8.5.2014
Uusimaa, Samu Karvala, Hengenheimolaisten näkökulmia elämään, Kuuden monipuolisen taiteilijan teokset luovat puhuttelevan kokonaisuuden, 10.5.2014
Glorian koti, Anna Aromaa, ´Savisten polkujen tallaaja´, August 2013
http://uudised.err.ee/index.php?06276855 (Eestin kulttuuriuutiset), Gerli Nomm, Eesti Tarbekunstija Disainmuuseumis avatakse homme Soome tarbekunsti rühmituse Artists O näitus ´´Out and About´´, 11.4.2013
Aamulehti, Helsinkiläisten näyttely on leikkisä, monimielinen kokonaisuus, 8.2.2013
http://nokkonen.wordpress.com, Raisa Jäntti, Häijyä tekemässä 1.2.2013
Turun Sanomat, Sinikka Eskola, Kenkiä, kuplia ja kielikukkasia 6.7.2011
Turun Sanomat, Nina Suni, Pehmeää kuin äidin syli 12.7.2011
Crafts Magazine, Pamela Buxton, Beyond function and decoration, March/April 2009
Ålands Tidning, 18.10.2007
Nya Åland, 20.10.2007
Västra Nyland, 3.11.2006
Helsingin Sanomat, Jukka Yli-Lassila, Muutoksia iholla ja pinnoilla 29.1.2005
Hbl, Åsa Hellman, Lera som andas 17.2.2005
Helsingin Sanomat, Hannu Pöppönen, Nykytaidekäsityö astui Kansallismuseoon 17.9.2003
OTHER
Keramiikkaa kellon ympäri, Juhana Manner, dokumentary film
TEACHING
2018 Espoo School of Art (Espoo, Finland): teacher in ceramics
2014 The Animakers – an interactive animation exhibition, Annantalo Arts Center, Helsinki, 21.8.2014 –
18.1.2015. 2012 Pohjois - Haaga Primary School (Finland): ceramic workshops (Hesan Nuorten Ääni-
Cultural activities)
2011 Saint Petersburg Institute ( Russia): Portrait workshop for children and their parents
2009- Annantalo Arts Centre (Helsinki, Finland): teacher in ceramics
2006-07 Vihti Visual Arts School ( Nummela, Finland) teacher in ceramics
2007 The Finnish Deafblind Association (Helsinki, Finland): teacher in ceramics course
2005-06 The Helsinki Association for Visually Impaired (HUN) (Helsinki, Finland): teacher in ceramics/
exhibition organizer
2003-2006 Vocational Institute Sydväst ( Tammisaari, Finland): teacher in ceramic
SITE SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ART
2010 Kontula elementary school in cooperation with Kirsi Kivivirta
2010 Soininen elementary school in cooperation with Kirsi Kivivirta
Saana Murtti is born in Helsinki, Finland 1974. She lives in Helsinki and works in the studio Pot Viapori in Suomenlinna Helsinki (https://www.potviapori.fi/en/studio). Saana Murtti is a sculptor and ceramic artist with a master of arts degree in Ceramics from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, U.K. and a master of arts degree from Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland. She also works as an art pedagogue in Helsinki and promote equal art education through her teaching work.
Saana Murttis artistic work is about humanity. In her ceramic sculptures, she explores ways of depicting and sketching out human experiences, while emphasizing the importance of a dialogical approach. Dialogical communication as a concept refers to rejecting preconceptions and questioning self-evident notions. Murtti’s interest in Martin Buber's phenomenological philosophy can be seen in her artistic work, in which she approaches her topic through both personal experiences and theoretical influences.
Through her sculptures, Murtti examines the various levels of the inner world of experience that are often hidden in everyday life, and in which the invisible aspects of human experience are emphasized. Through her ceramic sculptures, she has examined the relationship between the human being and the surrounding world, especially considering various aspects of this interaction. She is interested, how do experiences, thinking and attitudes reflect and affect the material environment, and what phenomena does this give rise to.
Saana Murti's work is characterised by seriality and slow change, linked to the thematic content of her process and the fragmentary nature of her approach. An essential underlying thought throughout her artistic process has been the idea of the importance of dialogicality and equality, as well as of the human-inspired figure that escapes definitions and classification.