jenniemilia.toivonen(a)gmail.com
+358 44 2533134
Jenni Toivonen (b.1993) is a Finnish visual artist and interdisciplinary practitioner, primarily working in the extended field of fine art photography. Her artistic work revolves around the interconnectedness of life, ecology, impermanence and the passage of time, which she often explores through the materiality of the human body and the earth. She sees the body as a vessel for a primal creative force and a deeper existential understanding.
Her practice is research-based and motivated by the entanglements of personal and environmental storylines. Besides moving between various media such as photographs, film, text, sound, performance and installation, Toivonen is interested in incorporating diverse approaches to broaden her take on artistic narratives. Through performative and ritualistic methods the artist seeks reciprocity and expanding the ways of knowing and coexisting with her surroundings.
Toivonen's works have been exhibited in several solo exhibitions in Finland and in curated group exhibitions in countries such as France, Japan, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and Estonia.
Education
2022 Master of Arts (MA) in Photography, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture, Helsinki, FI
2018 Bachelor of Social Sciences (BA) in Photojournalism, University of Tampere, FI
2015 Audiovisual communication studies (exchange), UNQ, Buenos Aires, AR
Solo exhibitions
2023 hover over a pale blue, Photographic Centre Nykyaika, Tampere, FI
2023 hover over a pale blue, Studio Mustanapa, Rovaniemi, FI
2022 Are We There, Galleria Rajatila, Tampere, FI
2022 Open studio, Zaratan - Arte Contemporânea, Lisbon, PT
2021 qual a cor do horizonte, V1 Galleria, Aalto University, Helsinki, FI
2021 blue currents, Sushibar+Wine Citycenter, Helsinki, FI
Selected group exhibitions
2023 InCadaqués Photo Festival, Cadaqués, ES
2023 Circulation(s), Paris, FR
2023 Everything will be ok, Hátíðni, Borðeyri, IS
2023 Signs of Impermanence, Jinny Street Gallery, Tokyo, JP
2022 Encontros da Imagem, Braga, PT
2022 Nature Future - Young European Photography, Britzer Garten, Berlin, GE
2022 Nature Future - Young European Photography, Institut Français, Stuttgart, GE
2022 PEP New Talents 2021, Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, GE
2021 Photographic Art sales exhibition, Glasshouse Helsinki, Helsinki, FI
2021 Foto Tallinn, Tallinn, EE
2021 Reclaim Award, Cologne, GE
2020 Untitled festival, Demos Helsinki, Helsinki, FI
2020 Unfold, The Finnish Museum of Photography, Helsinki, FI
2019 Hirve & Stokstad & Toivonen, Gallery Ibis, Vaasa, FI
2019 Helsinki Photo Festival, Helsinki, FI
2019 Pelt Photo Festival, Pelt, BE
2016 Daima Mmbele, The Press House, Helsinki, FI
Featured / Press / Publications
Fisheye Magazine, article
Mint Magazine, article
Télérama, article
Annihilation of Space and Time, curated photobook
Taideuutiset, article
Helsingin Sanomat, article
Nordic Frame, interview
Residencies
2023 SÍM, Reykjavik, IS
2022 Zaratan - Arte Contemporânea, Lisbon, PT
Awards / Programs
2023 Prix Fisheye de la création visuelle, finalist
2023 Artpil 30 under 30 Women Photographers
2021 Encontros da Imagem: Emergentes 2021 finalist
2021 Les Rencontres d'Arles: Photo Slam 2021 shortlist
2020 Women Photograph Mentorship Program
2019 Canon Student Development Program, Visa pour l'image, France
Grants
2023 Arts Promotion Centre Finland (project grant)
2022 Finnish Art Society, Young Artist grant
2022 Arts Promotion Centre Finland (working grant)
2022 Niilo Helander foundation (project grant)
2021 Arts Promotion Centre Finland (working grant)
2021 Frame Contemporary Art Finland (travel grant)
2020 The Finnish Cultural Foundation (project grant)
2020 Aalto University (project grant)
2019 Aalto University (project grant)
Memberships
Association of Photographic Artists (Finland)
Women Photograph
Kuvasto ry