Comforting Loneliness – Galleria Arthur

In her exhibition Lohtu Yksinäisyyteen (Comforting Loneliness), Sanna Karlsson-Sutisna presents paintings and drawings that bring joy and solace to everyone—especially those suffering from loneliness.

The artist explains that she has at times struggled deeply with loneliness herself. The work of a professional artist is very solitary, time-consuming, and demanding across many areas—from working as a professional photographer to bookkeeping, computer skills, and more. Today, artistic skill alone is not enough. As a result, very little time remains for friends, family, or leisure.

The paintings are mostly monochromatic and represent various styles from different periods over the years. The colors radiate the fullness and richness of life—something that can easily be forgotten when working alone, yet something that can revive even the most hardened soul into renewed belief in connection and the vitality of life within us all—a force inside us that connects us to nature and to each other.  In addition, a few sculptures and a chalk drawing on cork are on display, alongside with 20 drawings depicting humanity’s—and perhaps the lonely person’s—best friend: the dog. The drawings present a diverse array of easygoing, expressive, and emotionally rich dogs, including both companion dogs and strays.