“Gloucester Harbor,” 1873. Oil on canvas from the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Pepper Gallery Hosts Solo Exhibit by Marja Lianko

BOSTON, MASS. – Through March 27, an exhibition at Pepper Gallery will be feature new work by Boston-area artist Marja Lianko, her first solo venture at the gallery.

Lianko, a native of Finland, has resided in Cambridge, Mass., for nearly 40 years. Her dual identity as both European and American has served as a foundation for much of her work; her paintings often stem from meaningful childhood memories and personal symbols through which she creates a map of the self. This exploration is reflected through elements within Lianko’s work that speak of her journey as an artist and immigrant.

“During my last trip to Finland I realized that home was no more…what an I, when not quite an American just yet? I must be what is born in my studio. Through the many births, I mold myself again and again.” Her past work often depicted autumnal Finnish landscapes shrouded in fog that conveyed her feelings of uncertainty; in contrast, Lianko’s recent paintings are bountiful sunlit landscapes abundant with birds, butterflies, and the sweet fruits of summer, suggesting an experience of self-renewal.

Lianko’s mixed-media acrylic paintings on panel, depict intimate still life of carefully arranged objects form her studio “cupboard” along with landscapes featuring miniature trees, birds, houses, and clouds. The Finnish sunshine of lengthy summer days lights up her landscapes, casting delicate shadows among her trees and objects. These surreal tableaus are evocative of fables of fairy tales that relate to her own stories and memories. In her paintings, areas are often silk-screened with delicate floral patterns from antique wallpaper designs, adding layers to the image surface and crating a subtle interplay between foreground and background.

A graduate of Tufts University and the Fifth Year Certificate Program at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Lianko served at the School as a faculty member for 23 years where she taught courses in printmaking, painting, and mixed-media. Her work has been exhibited in numerous regional galleries and museums, including Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Fogg Art Museum, DeCordova Museum, and the Rose Art Museum.

In 1994, she was a recipient of the prestigious New England Foundation for the Arts NEA Regional Fellowship. Lianko’s work is represented in many significant public and private collections including those of Museum of Fine Arts, Fogg Art Museum, DeCordova Museum, IBM, Fidelity Investments, and John Hancock Insurance Company.

For information, 617/236-4497.