Perttu Mäkelä

About the Artist

When it comes to painting, what Perttu Mäkelä (b. 1979, Helsinki) finds fascinating is its characteristically surprising nature and moments when something unexpected makes him laugh while he’s alone at the studio – that’s when he knows he’s on the right track. Stylistically, his works have found home in the grey area between representational art and abstract art. Sometimes, the viewer may look at his paintings and observe familiar elements, such as flowers or blooms, but they are ultimately mere parts of a broader abstract structure. For him, painting is both a voyage of exploration and a way to tune out the bustle of daily life.

Exhibitions

BFA Exhibition 2025

12 September – 5 November 2025
Kuva/Tila

About the artwork

Over the past few years, I have created flower meadows at my summer cottage, inviting bees and butterflies. These meadows have become a refuge and a counterbalance to the pace of everyday life. Gradually, their colours and rhythms have found their way into my paintings. At first, the flowers were still recognizable, but with time they have shifted into abstract forms and layered compositions. I work with acrylics, chalk, and coloured pencils on both primed and unprimed canvas. Like the meadows, my paintings offer a space to breathe – an open field where inner experiences can take shape and unfold.