Marja Rosti
My educational background is art educator and graphic designer. My work as an artist is based on the vision brought by the aforementioned. My artworks are photo collages, more specifically, I use the Image Transfer method to combine photos with acrylic painting and drawing. You can clearly see from the surfaces of my works that they consist of glued images. The image transfer method in question removes the pigment of the laser print from the paper. Image transfer technology can be used to reduce the amount of paper material in paper prints.
The photographs I have used in my works are based on the materials I have photographed over the years, as well as today’s shots. I photograph modest details such as garbage, parts of plants, etc. and so-called non-places, which are neglected environments, abandoned buildings or storage areas.
I have been working with collages for over 50 years. At first by cutting and gluing, then digitally and now again combining image manipulation and paper cutting. I made my first debut as a visual artist in 1969, when I won the national ”Teen Debutante” art competition for teenagers. The works of the competition were exhibited at the Jyväskylä Summer Culture Festival. My works then were photo collages that I had assembled from pictures cut from magazines. I studied at a high school whose art club teacher was Olavi Lanu. As an artist, Lanu has become known for his works made of natural materials, especially at the Venice Biennale in 1978. Also in the high school art club, he inspired his students to experiment with different materials. I’m still walking that road, but the pictures used in my work are taken by myself these days and in collaboration with Kari Kalenius. Together we have the ROS-KA art collective. At Ros-ka, we use common imaging equipment, IT programs and images.
A photograph is the starting point for my work, somewhat in the same way as a random object for a readymade artist. Photography gives the chance to detach the object from its original context. The detached object takes on new meanings The picture gets the imagination going, especially from picture juxtapositions, new thoughts and associations arise. The method is ancient, but its potential is limitless, parallels are still used in today’s visual advertising.
I hope to get some edge in my pictures, a little sarcasm, a message that touches – without forgetting the fun.