Biography
Minna Kangasmaa was born in Oulu in northern Finland, where she lives and works as a professional sculptor. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the Academy of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture in University of the Arts Helsinki in Finland, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Lahti University of Applied Sciences in Finland. Her work has been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums around Finland and in Europe. She is represented in both private and public collections including Finland State Art Collection and Oulu Art Museum Collection among others. She has also done several commissioned public art works. She has been the recipient of many grants and awards. In 2017 Finland State National Council for Visual Arts award five-year artist grant to Kangasmaa for professional artistic work. Kangasmaa has worked actively in the field of art for the past 30 years. She has hold several positions of trust in the field of art e.g. in 2016-2019 as the chairperson of The Union of Finnish Art Associations and on the board of the Finnish Artists' Association.
Minna Kangasmaa is one of the founders of Hildegard Project (HP), a group of German and Finnish artists who realized during the years 2008-2015 altogether 17 events and exhibitions, in which various international artists took part. Hildegard Project operated in different countries and communities in collaboration with artists and art organizations. In 2015 Minna Kangasmaa initiated an international collective Hotel Infinity, which gathers together artists and art operatives from Finland and abroad. The purpose is to use the collective as a tool for promoting artistic cooperation across geographical boundaries in the field of contemporary art. In autumn 2020 Minna Kangasmaa co-founded together with the artist Tuomo Kangasmaa an artist-run initiative Art Hub Pikisaari in Oulu. Art Hub Pikisaari is an art project space and a small-scale art centre on the Pikisaari island.
ART STUDIES
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland 2021
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Fine Arts, Lahti, Finland 2010
Degree in Fine Arts, Institute of Fine Arts, Lahti, Finland, 1994
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
2020 Homage to Flowing Waters, Kiiminkipuisto School, Kiiminki, Finland
2014 Forget-me-not, Oulu Vocational College Haukipudas unit, Haukipudas, Finland
2009 Lace Square - Columns and Loops, Kaakkurintori, Oulu, Finland
2009 Aerial, Liminka Upper Secondary School, Liminka, Finland
2005 Growth, Patamäki Elementary School, Oulu, Finland
2005 Joy, Toppilansaari, Oulu, Finland
1999 Wings, Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey, Iceland
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 Gallery Vanha Kappalaisentalo, Porvoo, Finland
2020 Gallery Vanha Kappalaisentalo, Porvoo, Finland
2020 Poriginal Gallery, Pori, Finland
2019 MUU Cable, Helsinki, Finland
2017 Gallery Vanha Raatihuone, Turku, Finland
2011 Gallery Sculptor, Helsinki, Finland
2011 Galleria Katariina, Helsinki, Finland
2009 Oulu Art Museum, Finland
2009 Galerie elm75, Berlin, Germany
2008 Galleria Uusikuva, Kotka, Finland
2006 Rauma Art Museum Finland
2006 Galleria Saskia, Tampere, Finland
2005 Neliö Galleria, Oulu, Finland
2005 Museum of Oskari Jauhiainen, Kiiminki, Finland
1997 Visual Art Centre, Oulu, Finland
1995 NUKU Galleria, Oulu, Finland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Take Care, Sophienholm Kunsthal, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
2022 Take Care, Neliö-Galleria, Oulu, Finland
2022 Élan Vital und Momentum, Galerie Kunstflügel, Rangsdorf, Germany
2021 Man-Maid-Nature, Pop-Up Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark
2021 VIDE / Tyhjyys, Neliö-Galleria, Oulu, Finland
2020 nordiSKuptur 2, Gallery Sculptor, Helsinki, Finland
2020 Näkymä, Environmental Art Exhibition, Akaa, Finland
2019 Mänttä Art Festival XXIV, Mänttä, Finland
2019 Travelling Matter, Parallel Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2018 Enlightment, The Northern Photographic Centre, Oulu, Finland
2018 New Hierarchy, Gallery Lapinlahti, Helsinki, Finland
2018 Hotel Infinity, Project Room, Helsinki, Finland
2018 Limited Chances, Exhibition Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
2017 Animal and the Logic of Others, Exhibition Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
2017 Kuvan Kevät, HAM Corner, Tennis Palace, Helsinki Art Museum, Finland
2016 Matter Matter, Exhibition Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
2016 Hiukkavaaraa, Oulu Art museum, Finland
2016 The Snowball Effect 3 - The North Finland Biennial, Kemi Art museum, Finland
2016 Works on Paper, Galerija DLUL, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2016 Techniques of Delusion, Exhibition Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
2015 Hildegard Projekt: Preliminary Design of an Experimental Art-Circling Spaceship, Kunsthaus Essen, Germany
2015 Phänomen – Die Andere Realität, Basement, Vienna, Austria
2015 K2 Plugged, Vilho Lampi museum, Liminka, Finland
2014 Tämän saa jakaa., Imatra Art Museum, Imatra, Finland
2014 The Snowball Effect 2 - The North Finland Biennial, Rovaniemi Art museum and Arktikum, Finland
2014 ART DAYS 2014. DIALOGUE, Kombināts māksla, Riga, Latvia
2014 Hildegard Projekt - Haute Sculpture, Vžigalica Gallery, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2013 Hildegard Projekt: to be announced, kunstraum t27, Berlin, Germany
2013 Inner Landscapes, Galleria Å, Turku, Finland
2013 Inner Landscapes, Tartu Kunstimaja, Tartu, Estonia
2013 Besides Beauty, Gallery Oksasenkatu11, Helsinki, Finland
2012 Besides Beauty, Flat1, Vienna, Austria
2012 Kangasmaa & Kangasmaa, Kemi Art museum, Finland
2012 Nyyttikestit #2 -Hildegard Projekt arbeitet weiter, Kunsthalle m3, Berlin, Germany
2012 Helsinki Photography Biennial 2012, Personal City, MUU gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2012 III Baltic Biennale 2012, Points of Observation, Borey Art Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia
2012 The Snowball Effect - The North Finland Biennial, Oulu Art museum, Finland
2012 Bela 2012 - Biennial of European and Latin American and Contemporary Art, Galeria do Palacio, Porto, Portugal
2012 Special Edition, Galerie IG BILDENDE KUNST, Vienna, Austria
2011 Der Raum geht weiter, Galerie im Körnerpark, Berlin, Germany
2011 LAbiRynT, Frankfurt an der Oder, Germany and Slubice, Poland
2011 Uusi veistos, Lahti Artmuseum, Finland
2011 Wasp Factories, Edinburgh Art Festival, Scotland, United Kingdom
2011 Conceptions, Craft Museum of Finland, Foyer Gallery, Jyväskylä, Finland
2011 LOCALIZE das Heimatfestival, Villa von Holst, Potsdam-West, Germany
2011 Hildegard Projekt, Eventism II, Kasematti IV, Harakka Island, Helsinki, Finland
2011 Conceptions, Salo Art Museum Veturitalli, Finland
2011 Aistikaaos - Chaos of the Senses, Oulu Art Museum, Finland
2010 Hildegard Projekt, Kronenboden, Berlin, Germany
2010 »Helter Skelter Vol. II», Kulturpalast Wedding International, Berlin, Germany
2010 Hildegard Projekt, Rantagalleria, Kummigalleria, Valvegalleria, Galleria 5, Oulu, Finland
2009 Green Light, Galleria 5, Oulu, Finland
2008 Open Studios, Künstlerhaus Schloss Wiepersdorf, Germany
2007 Pitchy Path, Environmental Art Exhibition, Pikisaari, Oulu, Finland
2007 Firefox, Fire Sculpture, Oulu Market Square, Finland
2006 Wonder, Oulu Art Museum, Finland
2006 67. Annual Exhibition of the Union of Finnish Art Associations, Taidepanimo, Lahti, Finland
2006 Galleria Just, Turku, Finland
2005 Wunderbaum, Kemi Art Museum, Finland
2005 Galleria Myötätuuli, Raahe, Finland
2005 Ars möljä, Environmental Art Exhibition, Toppilansaari, Oulu
2005 Pitchy path, Environmental Art Exhibition, Pikisaari, Oulu, Finland
2005 Firebird, Fire Sculpture, Nallikari, Oulu, Finland
2005 Change, Environmental Art, Hietasaari, Oulu, Finland
2004 Wide Bridge, Art Museum of the Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk, Russia
2004 66. Annual Exhibition of the Union of Finnish Art Associations, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Finland
2004 Wunderbaum, Joensuu Art Museum, Finland
2003 Wunderbaum, Savonlinna Art Museum, Finland
2003 Wunderbaum, Jyväskylä Art Museum, Finland
2003 3 N, Galleria 5, Oulu, Finland
2002 Galleria 5, Oulu, Finland
1998 Visual Art Centre, Oulu, Finland
1996 Galleria Allinna, Riihimäki, Finland
1996 Duty free, Putney, Vermont, USA
1995 Matkalla – On the Road, Galleria Harmaja, Oulu, Finland
1994 9 Lives, Lahti Art Museum, Finland
1992 With Your Permission, Häme Regional Art Exhibition, Voipaala Art Centre, Valkeakoski, Finland
1992 Nordisk Workshop, Akureyri, Iceland
1992 Pauanne, Galleria Marian Portti, Lahti, Finland
1992 Keuruu Art Museum, Finland
1992 Exhibition of Young Artists, Art Hall, Helsinki, Finland
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2018 Academy of Fine Arts of Uniarts Helsinki, Residency at Berlin, Germany
2016 The Arts Promotion Centre Finland Artist Residency at Berlin, Germany
(1 month)
2015 Kunsthaus Essen, Essen, Germany (2 month)
2014 The Arts Promotion Centre Finland Artist Residency at Berlin, Germany
(1 month)
2012 Kone Foundation Saari Residence, Mietoinen, Finland (group)
2011-12 The Finnish Artists' Studio Foundation ́s Lietsalo project studio, Helsinki, Finland (5 months)
2010, 2009, 2008 The Arts Council of Oulu Artist Residency at Berlin, Germany
(1-3 months)
2008 Künstlerhaus Schloss Wiepersdorf, Germany (5 months)
2003 The Arts Council of Oulu Artist Residency at Arenys de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
(1 month)
1999 Lava og folk symposium, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland (1 month)
1998 The Arts Council of South Savo Artist Residency at Prague, Czech Republic
1998 The Arts Council of South Savo Artist Residency at Berlin, Germany
1992 Nordisk Workshop, Akureyri, Iceland
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
2020-2021 Olet tässä (you are here) - community Art Project, City of Oulu, Cultural Centre Valve, Oulu, Finland
2019 Lähde! Inclusion through Art -project, Oulunkaari, Finland
2011 Fantasy Design, Design Museum Helsinki Finland and Design Museum Gent Belgium
2010 INSIGHT! / Pedagogic Fence, Lintulampi Primary School, Oulu, Finland
2007 Firefox, fire sculpture, Market Square, Oulu, Finland
2005 Firebird, fire sculpture, Nallikari, Oulu, Finland
2003 Knowledge Publication Workshop, Hyvän mielen talo ry, Oulu Finland
2002 A Thousand Homes, performance, Mikkeli locomotive depot, Finland
2001 Mixed Media Workshop, Oulu Youth and Culture Centre, Finland
2000 Shadow Play Workshop, Oulu Youth and Culture Centre, Finland
2000 Six Ways to Visit, performance, Kärkölä municipality, Finland
1999 Shadow Play, performance, Annantalo Art Centre, Helsinki, Finland
1998 Hidden Huts, performance, Lusto -Finnish Forest Museum, Punkaharju, Finland
1992 Buto Performance, Keuruu Art Museum and MUU Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
1992 Potato Performance, Helsinki Central Railway Station, Finland
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN FINLAND
2020 Art expert, Pudasjärvi Well-Being Center, Art programme for public art, City of Pudasjärvi, Finland
2019 Art expert, Boreal - Creative Forest: Metsähallitus Syöte National Park exhibition concept, Taike, Finland
2018 Quest Lecturer (Percent art) Kainuu Central Hospital, Kajaani, Finland
2019 Guest Lecturer (Public Art), University of the Arts Helsinki, Seinäjoki, Finland
2012 Guest Lecturer (Art in the Urban Space), Hiukkavaara Piknik, City of Oulu, Oulu
2005 Artist Lecture (Artist's Anatomy, Kiasma's School on Wheels), Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland
2000 Guest Lecturer (Developing organizational activities), Arts Council of North Karelia, Joensuu
1999 Guest Lecturer (Artists' livelihood strategies), University of Art and Design, Helsinki
1998 Guest Lecturer (Culture as an employer), University of Art and Design, Helsinki
1998 Guest Lecturer (Artist's employment), Arts Council of Central Finland, Jyväskylä
1997 Guest Lecturer (Artists' livelihood strategies), University of Oulu Learning and Research Services, Oulu
1996 Guest Lecturer, (The Art World ), University of Lapland Faculty of the Art and Design, Rovaniemi
1995, 1998 Art Producer, Maxi-Media Street Art Exhibition, Oulu
1995 Art Producer, Taiteilijamessut - Art Fair, NUKU Culture and Youth Centre, Oulu
1994-1999 Full-time Project leader, Artists Employment Project, City of Oulu Cultural Office, Oulu
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AS TEACHING ARTIST IN FINLAND
2023-2021, 2015-2013, 2011-2003 Part-time Teacher (Sculpture), Oulu-opisto Institute of Adult Education, Oulu
2010, 2013 Guest Teacher (Sculpture), Oulu Vocational College Kempele Unit, Kempele
2008, 2009, 2010 Guest Teacher (Sculpture), Lybecker Institute of Crafts and Design, Raahe
2004 Guest Teacher (Sculpture), Oulunsalon kansalaisopisto -Institute of Adult Education, Oulunsalo
2003-2004 Part-time Teacher (Drawing), Oulun Seudun Setlementti ry -Institute of Adult Education, Oulu
2003 Part-time Teacher (Croquis Drawing), Oulu-opisto -Institute of Adult Education, Oulu
2000 Part-time Teacher (Portrait Painting), University of Oulu Learning and Research Services, Oulu
1994-1991 Part-time Teacher (Fine Arts), Hollola Art School for Children and Young People, Hollola
POSITIONS OF TRUST
2022-2023 Chairperson, Nordic Art Association Finland, Helsinki, Finland
2022 Member of the award committee, Art Competition, Municipality of Posio, Finland
2020-2022 Chairperson, Art Hub Pikisaari ry, Oulu, Finland
2020 Member of the award committee, International art competition for Vuohenoja landscape artwork, Tampere, Finland
2020 Member of the award committee, Sculpture competition, Tornio city, Finland
2018 Member of the selection committee, Sodankylä new wellness center public art, Sodankylä municipality, Finland
2018-2019 Member of the board, Kustannus Oy Taide, Finland
2016-2019 Member of the board, Finnish Artists' Association, Helsinki, Finland
2016-2019 Chairperson, Union of Finnish Art Associations, Finland
2015, 2008, 2007 Member of the Representative Council, Finnish Artists' Association, Helsinki, Finland
2009-2010 Chairperson of the board, Oulu Artists' Association, Oulu, Finland
2008-2009 Member of the board, Association of Finnish Sculptors, Helsinki, Finland
2005 Member of the jury, International Fire and Ice Sculpture Competition, Haapavesi, Finland
2001-2000 Member of the board, Jojo -Oulu Dance Centre, Oulu, Finland
2000-1999 Member of the board, Oulu Artists' Association, Oulu, Finland
1996-1995 Secretary-Treasurer, Oulu Artists' Association, Oulu, Finland
1996-1995 Member of the board, Botnia Art Workshops Association, Oulu, Finland
1996 Member of the Finland preselecting jury, Kill your darlings-film festival, Copenhagen, Denmark
MERBERSHIPS
Association of Finnish Sculptors
International Sculpture Center (ISC)
Oulu Artists' Association
Sculpture network
The Guild of Medallic Art in Finland
Kuvasto, Visual Artists’ Copyright Society
WORKS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Finland State Art Collection
City of Kotka, Finland
Oulu Art Museum, Finland
City of Oulu, Finland