About

I’m Nella Piirainen, a visual artist drawing inspiration from nature, imagination, and the symbolism of animals. My artistic practice explores themes such as the beauty and transience of nature, the depths of the human mind, and dreamlike, surreal worlds.

I graduated from the Pekka Halonen Academy with a foundational degree in fine arts and media in 2023. It was my second professional qualification — a path I chose to follow my passion for art. Art has been part of my life since childhood, and creating it is my way of understanding, preserving, and interpreting the world around me.

Animals play a central role in my work. They represent a connection to nature, primal strength, and mysticism. They often symbolize human emotions and internal layers, reflecting hidden thoughts and dreams. Through animals, I explore the relationship between nature and human beings: how we belong to this world, and how fragile that connection can be.

The beauty and impermanence of nature are constant sources of inspiration for me. I use vivid colors, strong contrasts, and expressive forms to draw attention to what is fleeting yet valuable.
My subjects vary, but they often emerge from personal experiences and dreamlike inner landscapes where imagination and reality intertwine.

For me, art is a way to face both the beauty and the darker sides of the world — seen through the gaze of nature and animals. I hope to evoke questions and emotions that linger long after the artwork has been viewed.

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