TUULI ROUHIAINEN

CURATOR AND PRODUCER OF KUVAAN SEN ULOS EXHIBITION 2019

KUVAAN SEN ULOS (In English PAINTING IT OUT)
Artworks processing experiences of sexual abuse

9th-20th January 2019
Gallery Art Kaarisilta

Kuvaan sen ulos (In English Painting it out) exhibition presented artworks made by people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence. The pieces have originated from the participants personal experiences and the need to process them through art. Sixteen adults took part in this exhibition with pictures and sculptures made with various techniques. Alongside the pieces many of the participants shared their stories and artistic process in the form of text.

The artworks of the exhibition made visible the traumatizing and serious effects of sexual abuse and violence. The pieces told about pain, hate, fear, self-destruction and losing oneself. But at the same time there was some hope, courage, strength to move on and get over, as well as the experience of little by little becoming whole. The pictures had become a possibility to channel own emotions into a new form, to paint something out of oneself. Now they had a significant meaning in bringing this all for others to see.

Some of the participants took part in the exhibition using their own name, some using an alias and some prefered to remain anonymous.

The exhibition was organized in co-operation with Finnish Trauma and dissociations Association Disso and Suomen Delfins Association. The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland supported the exhibition with a grant.

The producers and curators of the exhibition were Tuuli Rouhiainen and Anna Vuopala.

As a part of the exhibition there was a seminar at the gallery discussing the theme of the exhibition. The programme consisted of professionals' speeches and art performances and it was hosted by Tuuli Rouhiainen.