Henrietta Lehtonen (FINNISH, B. 1965)

Finish artist Henrietta Lehtonen studied architecture at the Tampere University of Technology, but has primarily worked within the field of visual arts. Her mediums range from oil painting and video to architectural structures, but also include porcelain painting and embroidered tablecloths. Whatever medium she chooses, the essential ingredient in her works is that the viewer should approach them through emotion rather than intellect. Lehtonen's themes focus on the pervasiveness of femininity and the all-consuming importance of one's private hopes and dreams. She held her first solo exhibition in 1989, and the same year received an award at the annual Young Artists' Exhibition. Since then, Henrietta Lehtonen has been in demand both in Finland and abroad. In 1993, she was granted the first Urpo and Maija Lehtonen Foundation's award for young artists. In 1994, the Amos Andersson Museum organized a solo exhibition of her works. Henrietta Lehtonen has participated in several exhibitions worldwide, including the Lenigma del Campo project, held in conjunction with the 1995 Venice Biennial, the International Istanbul Biennial of contemporary art (2001) and Sonsbeek 9. Her work was part of the group-exhibtion It always jumps back and finds its way at de Appel in 1997.