Julianna Hyrri, Five timeframes, countless companionships, 2022
Juliana Hyrri (b. 1989, Kohtla-Järve, Estonia) is a Helsinki-based visual artist, illustrator and award-winning cartoonist. In her art, Hyrri often deals with the themes of otherness, growth, and events that evoke conflicting emotions. The overlap and layering of narration are essential in her practice. Hyrri holds a Master of Arts degree from Aalto University and is studying for a Master of Fine Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki.
I find the topic of artist residencies and friendships very personal and relevant for me as an artist. At any residence, time always seems to run out and eventually, people leave for different roads. The image hints at moments where activities have been interrupted: food is on the table, sketches and supplies are wide open, and the outdoor space flows into the interior. I have used photographs and my own experiences of the residencies I have been in as references. As time has passed, my memories have intertwined into a rich collage.
The starting points of this work were related to relaxation and finding one’s own space. The picture has direct and indirect hints from which you can deduce the soundtrack of the illustration.
READWhat Would I Rather
I did the work improvising it along the way during spring and summer 2021. The picture resembles a message or a notice board. There are small bits of drawing/painting/text done on a piece of paper that I had with me for some months in my backpack. I liked the idea that the image and the paper have aged - that the passing of time has left its marks on the work.
READIt is Only the End of the World
Perhaps what makes me who I am is not only the things I have now but also the things I have lost or I long for.
READPlaces
I personally don’t like to be touched so I rarely get my hair done. I wanted to capture that moment of how it feels for me in the first hour of braiding since I can’t quite put it into words. There’s anxiety but also excitement. A feeling of foreignness but also of belonging, warmth and kinship. It’s ordinary and also a special occasion.
READUntitled
