Saana Murtti

An Exceptional Finnish Artist

Saana Murtti is a renowned Finnish ceramic artist and sculptor born in Helsinki in 1974. With over 20 years of experience, she has made significant contributions to the art world through her unique ceramic sculptures that explore human experiences and dialogical communication. Murtti's work has been featured in international exhibitions and is included in prestigious collections worldwide.

Saana Murtti holds a Master of Arts degree in Ceramics from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, U.K., and another Master of Arts degree from Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland.

Artistic Career

Murtti has been working as a sculptor and ceramic artist for over 20 years, participating in international exhibitions and having her works included in prestigious collections such as the Gifu Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Japan.

Art Pedagogy

In addition to her artistic work, Murtti works as an art pedagogue in Helsinki, promoting equal art education through her teaching work.

Series Disappearances, ceramics  2023, 21x32x33 cm, photo Johnny Korkman, currently on display in the 26th International Biennale - Contemporary Ceramics and Creation, Musee Magnelli, Musee de la ceramique, Vallauris,

Artistic Themes and Approach

Saana Murtti's artistic work revolves around the theme of humanity. In her ceramic sculptures, she explores ways of depicting and sketching out human experiences, emphasizing the importance of a dialogical approach. Dialogical communication, as a concept, refers to rejecting preconceptions and questioning self-evident notions.

Series Disappearances, ceramics 2012, 60x100 cm, photo Johnny Korkman

Murtti's interest in Martin Buber's phenomenological philosophy is evident in her artistic work, where she approaches her topics through both personal experience and theoretical influences. Another important philosopher for her work has been Emmanuel Lévinas, whose thinking is based on the meaning of otherness.

The difference between private and public, ceramics 2004,  150 cm, photo Johnny Korkman, The State Art collection of Finland

Artistic Process and Themes

Inner World of Experience

Through her sculptures, Murtti examines the various levels of the inner world of experience that are often hidden in everyday life, emphasizing the invisible aspects of human experience.

Human-Environment Interaction

Her ceramic sculptures explore the relationship between human beings and the surrounding world, considering various aspects of this interaction.

Reflection and Impact

Murtti is interested in how experiences, thinking, and attitudes reflect and affect the material environment, and what phenomena this gives rise to.

Interaction and Disappearance

Her working process has led her to examine questions related to the formation, absence, and presence of interaction, as well as the theme of disappearance.

Series Disappearances, ceramics 2022, 32x28x20 cm, photo Johnny Korkman

Artistic Style and Characteristics

Saana Murtti's work is characterized by seriality and slow change, linked to the thematic content of her works and the fragmentary nature of her approach. An essential underlying thought throughout her artistic process has been the idea of the importance of dialogicality and equality, as well as of the human-inspired figure that escapes definitions and classification.

Series Casser Maison Beyond Preconceptions, ceramics 2021 - 2022,  160 cm,  photo Johnny Korkman

Notable Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

"Beyond Preconceptions" at HAA gallery, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland (2022) and "Beyond Presence" at Gallery Arabia, Helsinki, Finland (2013)

Invitational Exhibitions

"Hyper Sensible" at Musée d'Arts de Nantes, France (2023) and "Nordic Hands" at The Cultural Production Center Godsbanen, Aarhus,

Disappearance 2, ceramics 2013, 27x16 - 1,5x0,3 cm, photo Johnny Korkman, Aalto University art collection Human Approach

Publications and Honors

Featured in "Contemporary Ceramic Art" by Thames & Hudson (2020)

Included in "Ceramique 90 Artistes Contemporains" by Pyramyd (2019)

Honorable Mention at The 10th International Ceramics Festival '2014 Mino, Japan

Artist Talk at Nordic Hands Symposium, Godsbanen Art – and Culture Centre, Aarhus, Denmark (2018)

Collections and Legacy

Saana Murtti's works are included in numerous prestigious collections, showcasing her impact on the world of ceramic art:

Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, Finland

ICAA, International Ceramic Art Award Committee Art Collection 'Blanc de Chine', China

Aalto-University Art Collection The Human Approach, Otaniemi/Espoo, Finland

Helsinki University Hospital Art Collection, Helsinki

Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan

The State Art Collection of Finland

Finnish Art Society Art Collection

Arabia Art Department Society's Art Collection, Finland

Arctic Clay Collection, Posio, Finland

Private collections in Finland and abroad

Series Casser Maison Beyond Preconceptions 1, ceramics 2022,  42x45x44 cm,  photo Johnny Korkman, The State Art collection of Finland