Johanna Oras is a multitalented and multidimensional contemporary visual artist from Finland. When the curtain parts at her exhibitions, you get to see Oras’ signature flower: the calla, intricate still life, expressionist displays of colour and revised classic masterpieces.
As an internationally awarded artist Oras has made her name very well-known over the course of her 30-year career and her work has found homes around the globe. She has studied in the Academy of fine art in St. Petersburg and in Florence, and still to this day is continuously evolving off her solid foundation of knowledge and technique.
Johanna Oras fearlessly fuses the art worlds classics, visions of the future and natures harmonies to quench her thirst to create. The stories behind her art are touching, funny and might even agitate their viewer.
Johanna Oras has yet to meet her match in the art field. Orasdoesn’t fit in any box, refuses to be compartmentalized and will not set foot on any road that’s already been paved. Oras will paint her way herself.
Comissioned Works
A commissioned work is always a tremendous challenge for an artist; the first steps are taken in discussions with the client, exchanging ideas. The space where the finished work will eventually be displayed is also of paramount importance, and I always aim to visit the location before picking up the brush. The location, the cardinal directions and light, the architecture, the acoustics – all must be considered.
The foundation of a commissioned work is always built on trust, whether the client is a gallery, a company, a community, or an individual. Then the creative process begins in my mind, a storm of visions taking shape. The first strokes appear on the blank canvas, and the adventure begins – an adventure that does not end when the piece is hung. Every single viewer who sees the work will interpret it in their own way, and each interpretation is unique, important, and valid. That’s why the adventure – like good art – is eternal and never truly ends.
Curriculum Vitae
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WÄINÖ AALTONEN DRAWING SCHOOL, 1975-1977, TURKU
Johanna Oras started her studies at a very early age, enrolling at this establishment already at the age of five.
HIGH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL ARTS, 1986-1989, TURUN LYSEO
Oras continued her pursuit of an art-filled future by applying and getting accepted into an art oriented high school.
CULTURAL HISTORY CLASSES, 1990-1991, OPEN UNIVERSITY TURKU
PRIVATE ART SCHOOL, 1992-1993, TAMPERE
During her time in Tampere, Oras focused on creating her first exhibition ensemble.
ART HISTORY CLASSES, 1993, HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF ARTS AND DESIGN, HÄMEENLINNA
CLASS OF A.A. MELNIKOV, 1994-1996, THE ST. PETERSBURG ACADEMY OF ART
Oras studied under the heavy standard of A.A. Melnikov, during which, the greatest praise she ever got was ‘Not bad’. The St. Petersburg Academy of Art was the place where Oras was able to enlarge her spectrum of techniques and knowledge.
FLORENCE ACADEMY OF ART, 1997, FLORENCE
The Florence Academy of Art was a natural continuation to Oras’ studies abroad, where she was able to even further broaden her expression and her style after St. Petersburg.
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1985 - Special prize in the drawing competion arranged by The Turku City Orchestra and The Museomäki School, Turku, Finland
1999 - First Prize in the competition Look at the bag, Helsinki, Finland
2001 - Mention d ́Honneur Salon Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
2002 - Diplome d ́Honneur, Arts, Sciences & Lettres, Paris, France
2003 - Mention d ́Honneur, Salon S.N.B.A Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
- Diplome d ́Honneur et Medaille de Villeneuve- Saint-Georges, France
- Medaille d ́Argent, Arts, Sciences & Lettres, Paris, France
2005 - Medaille d`Argent, Salon S.B.N.A Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
- Merit Award, Boca Raton Museum of Art, Florida, USA
2006 - Le Prix “Commercants et Artisans du Haut de Cagnes”, Journee Chevalet des Haut-Talents, Maison des Artistes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
2007 - Grand Prix du Val d ́Or, Special Mention du Jury, Academie International Ecole de la Loire, Blois, France
2008 - Revelation 2008, Grand Concours International, Federation Nationale de la Culture Francaise
- Grand Prix Val de Loire, Academie International Ecole de la Loire, Blois, France
2009 - Grand Prix Val de Loire, Academie International Ecole de la Loire, Blois, France
- Revelation 2009, Grand Concours International, Federation Nationale de la Culture Francaise
- Medaille d ́Argent, Merite Culture Francais, Federation Nationale de la Culture Francaise
- Toile d ́Or, Federation National de la Culture Francaise
2011 - Turku School of Economics Associations Award of Honor
- Federation Natioal des Beaux Art, Medaille de Vermeil
2015 - Town of Savonlinna Award of Honor
2016 - Salon S.N.B.A Carrousel du Louvre Prix du Jury, Paris, France
2017 - Aurora Medal awarded by the Council of Southwest Finland for work in honor of art and culture
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Oras is a member of a selected few art houses and societies:
La Société Nationale des Beaux Arts France Monde Culture
Expression libre
Maison des Artistes
Fédération Nationale de la Culture Francaise Artiste de la Communauté Européenne
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My work and my dreams are the same thing. I want to guide you to a world where only a painting can take. That journey is always an enormous adventure for me; some of the waypoints are inspiration, research, storytelling, sketching and the dialogue with the unfinished work – but the finest moment is always the first stroke of the paintbrush, on an empty canvas. And every painting is a trip to selfhood, inside me – but also, to humanity.
My paintbrush is the baton I use to conduct the symphony of my life. And it is via that music – my paintings – I want to share with you those emotions and that powerful energy I feel myself.
I want to heal, to comfort, to entertain, to love. To create a concrete form to all these feelings – and countless more. A painting.
I live. Therefore, I paint.
