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Anna Retulainen’s solo exhibition ”Memory” opens this week in Kajaani Art Museum.

”Memory” is an exhibition comprised of three never before displayed series of works by Anna Retulainen. The central theme of the works is – at times fragile – memories which Retulainen is attempting to bring back into focus piece by piece. Simultaneously she is encouraging the viewer to face their own memories and recollections.

One of these series, titiled ”Ainahan on huominen” (There's Still Tomorrow) consists of paintings depicting a forest that has gone through changes. The thick and layered color palette captivates the viewer and slowly reveals the world of the artwork. The series also includes more light and airy paintings that take milkweeds into focus. As it is always the case in Retulainen’s works, color is an essential part as a visual experience and as a material.

Anna Retulainen (born 1969, Orimattila, Finland) is one of the most influential artists in contemporary Finnish painting. Her artistic output has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions since 1995, and her works are included in several public collections and numerous private collections. Retulainen's paintings were among the first works of contemporary art to be permanently displayed at the Presidential Palace in Finland in 2015.

Anna Retulainen: Memory will be on view at Kajaani Art Museum from Jan 24 through April 25, 2026.

Read more about the exhibition here

 Anna Retulainen: Ainahan On Huominen (2025), oil on canvas. Photo Jussi Tiainen.