Leena Luostarinen: Misfit

Resting wild cats, references to various cultures, and personal messages permeate her large-scale, vibrantly coloured pieces.

Leena Luostarinen (1949–2013) ranks among Finland’s most distinguished painters, who left an indelible mark on the Finnish art world. Now presented together for the first time, the exhibitionbrings together Luostarinen’s monumental paintings from HAM’s collection, dating from what is considered her creative peak in the 1980s and 1990s.

Despite the acclaim she received, she often felt like an outsider, sensing that she neither belonged nor could conform. She travelled widely, driven by a longing for distant places. Drawing on influences from many cultures, she developed a compelling, recognisable style that resists categorisation.