Erik Nieminen
Artistic positioning
My paintings explore an alternative world where reality and imagination coexist, shaped by a process that dismantles and reconstructs familiar structures. This independent reality is not bound by conventional logic but emerges from the adaptive nature of painting itself. I am drawn to the dissolution of space, perspective, light, and time, where forms gradually take shape through a process of layering and refinement. Colors, materials, and shapes are reworked until an ideal balance is achieved, allowing the work to exist between figuration and abstraction. This continuous transformation resists easy classification, creating a space where multiple genres and influences converge.
A recurring theme in my work is the interplay between order and chaos, control and fluidity. Some areas of a painting display meticulous precision, while others dissolve into ambiguity, inviting the viewer to navigate uncertain terrain. Historical and symbolic references often surface—fragments of ancient narratives reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Figures emerge, distorted and abstracted, their original meanings blurred. These references, combined with elements of cinematic lighting and surreal distortions, push the boundaries between past and future, creating a space where transformation is constant and perception is fluid.
At its core, my work reflects on the impermanence of structures and the inevitable process of decay and renewal. I am interested in how history, identity, and power change over time, and how these changes manifest visually through the painting process. Each work is an artifact of an imaginary world where form and meaning evolve, echoing the tension between illusion and reality. Through this exploration, I invite viewers to engage with the fluidity of perception and the transient nature of the worlds we construct.
