Retrospective is a diverse exhibition with artists of all different styles and mediums coming from different towns. We are so excited to have the work of Mirka Hokkanen with us in Retrospective.
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Mirka was surrounded by woods and wildlife. She grew up playing outdoors and exploring nature, where she now pulls inspiration from for her wood cuts and linographs. Still holding on to that aspect of home, Mirka moved to Illinois as an international student in 1998. While in Illinois, Mirka attended Rockford University, where she took her first printmaking class. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Art at Rockford before moving to Texas and earning a second Master of Fine Arts degree.
Combining her love of nature and her love of art, Mirka has created beautiful prints of wildlife through various techniques. Currently, she is producing works with linocuts and wood engravings reflecting her fascination of nature. A common theme among her art is animals and their natural shapes and patterns. The swirling of their fur, the patterns of their feathers, and the relationship between animal and man, she hopes to awaken viewers to beauty of nature.
Six of Mirka’s prints hang on the walls of the SEAD Gallery, varying in color and subject, however you can feel her love for nature as you study them. One in particular immediately draws your eye: the large hawk. An absolutely beautiful piece, this hawk’s detail and and expression are unparalleled. Paired with its size, you can’t help but feel small in its presence, yet amazed by its beauty and detail. You could get lost in its mesmerizing intricacies and patterns woven within the strokes of each feather. This work of art is a linocut, made by carving the design into a block of linoleum. Once the design is carved, a layer of ink is rolled on to the carved linoleum and pressed.
Here you can see Mirka’s process of creating this magnificent hawk. Mirka’s solo exhibition Human. Nature was at the SEAD Gallery in 2016, and we are thrilled to see it back in Retrospective. Come see Red Tailed Hawk and other work by Mirka Hokkanen until March 10th at the SEAD Gallery!
