Petri Eskelinen

Petri Eskelinen (b. 1975) works widely within the field of sculpture. At times, his sculptures seek physical closeness with the viewer; at other times, they present fragile, lifelike movement independently through electromechanical means. Eskelinen is interested in the question of how and why we interpret movement as living and conscious. In time-lapse videos, living plants attempt to solve various staged challenges, at times appearing strikingly human-like. Often, the starting point of Eskelinen’s works is an impossible scientific problem, for which he seeks roundabout solutions. How can artificial gravity be represented, or the day-night cycle of another planet? And how can an artificially knotting plant also be made to unravel? What is it like to be in the middle of—and part of—a quantum mechanical phenomenon? Eskelinen earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in 2006 from the Academy of Fine Arts. He has been awarded, among others, the Dukaatti Prize and the Finnish Artists’ Association Art Prize. His works have been exhibited in numerous gallery and museum exhibitions. He has also created several public artworks. Eskelinen’s works can be found in museum collections such as Kiasma, EMMA, The Serlachius Art Museum, and The Sara Hildén Art Museum.