You have arrived.
Elli Maanpää’s surname means basically the same thing as her home country: Finland. Maanpää can be translated as “the end of the earth” or “the head of the world.” And Finland? It’s quite literally the Finnish line of land.
So wherever you came from, you’ve made it here. Right now, right here—this is where you’re meant to be.
Paintings by Elli Maanpää between 2024-2025. "A hug can be radical. Play can be political."
Artist Statement
I create figurative art that includes non-representational surfaces. The figures in my paintings often appear in motion, dancing or embracing. Hands intertwine, cheeks touch, and eyes close. The figures are not bound by concrete reality; they are freed by imagination.
I paint with acrylics on canvas and recycled materials. I use bright complementary colors, warm coral tones, and cool blues. My palette consists of six colors, which I mix to create a vibrant yet harmonious whole.
My brushwork is lively, fast, and layered. In addition to brushes, I also use my fingers, rollers, and palette knives. Creating the works is a delightful, playful act.
– Elli Maanpää
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Elli Maanpää is a multidisciplinary Finnish contemporary artist working at the intersection of painting, design, and visual storytelling. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Visual Culture from Aalto University, complemented by Bachelor's degrees in both Animation (Turku Arts Academy) and Fashion Design (Aalto University). This extensive, cross-disciplinary academic background forms the foundation for her recognizable visual language.
Maanpää’s works have been acquired for public collections, including the Finnish Postal Museum, Lohja Museum, and Satasairaala Hospital. She has also completed a large-scale public art commission for the Valkeavuori Campus in Kaarina. Her exhibitions have been presented throughout Finland, in venues such as B-galleria (Turku), P-galleria (Pori), and the Vanha Paukku Culture Center (Lapua). Furthermore, she is scheduled to present a curated exhibition at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum in Helsinki in 2027.
Maanpää's artistic practice has been supported by grants from organizations such as the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) and the Association of Finnish Illustrators.
Elli Maanpää, a Finnish contemporary artist, in her studio in Helsinki, Finland.
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