Elina Moriya is a Finnish and Japanese artist, photographer and visual researcher working with photography, video and installation. She has always seen the creative process as a journey of questions, where the accent is put on the one who asks the questions, why and from which perspective.
Elina’s practice incorporates multiple disciplines and blurs the boundaries between conceptual and documentary photography, a fine art and professional practice. Often researching the elements guiding perception and interpretations, assumptions that might seem self-evident, are challenged and manifested via unfamiliar visual outcomes. She is interested in encounters where various narratives overlap and integrate, resulting in the merging of new entities, and finding translations enabling dialogues with alternative paradigms. By presenting unexpected combinations of visuals, values or symbols, she likes to play with alternative realisations or explanations in the diversity of the values that might exist. This questions the predominant representations and what is accepted as a recognisable narrative, acknowledged visuals, appropriate aesthetics or correct paradigm.
CV
Education:
2015 – 2019 Doctorate Researcher, Art & Design, Middlesex University, London, UK
2012 – 2013 Master of Arts in Photography, University of the Arts London
1997 – 2000 Professional Photography Qualification, Institute of Visual Communication, Tampere, Finland
1994 – 1996 Photoshop Retoucher/Traditional Printer, Käpylä Vocational School, Helsinki, Finland
Screenings:
2017 HAPA Japan Festival , Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, US
2017 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2016 Finnish-Japanese Symposium, University of Oulu, Finland
2016 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2012 Photomonth International photography festival, Rich Mix, London, UK
2012 East End Film Festival, Cine-East Programme, Protein Gallery, London
2010 art_fest_2011 – International Festival of Videoart, Italy
2011 _lAbyRinTh, 11th International Festival of Photography and Media, Poland and Germany
Solo exhibitions:
2013 10×10 with Lucinda Douglas Menzies, Four Corners Gallery, London
2011 Homelandscape with Miika Osamitsu, Teamith Gallery, London, UK
2006 Molende – Stories of Congolese Perseverance, Museum of Cultures, Helsinki, Finland
2003 Ichi Go Ichi E #2, French Culture Centre, Pointe Noire,
The Republic of the Congo
2002 Ichi Go Ichi E, Gloria Cultural Arena, Helsinki, Finland
2000 Not Half but Double, Kunsthalle Studio, Helsinki, Finland
1999 Off Tracks, Gloria Cultural Arena, Helsinki, Finland
1998 _Thoughts on Life, Savoy Theatre, Helsinki, Finland
1997 The Elements Of Life, Savoy Theatre in Helsinki, Finland
Selected group exhibitions:
2014 Show Motion, UAL Showroom, London,
2014 FreshFaced+WildEyed 2014, The Photographers’ Gallery, London
2013 MA Photography Degree Show, University of the Arts, London
2013 MA Photography Interim Show, University of the Arts, London
2010 Ichi Go Ichi E #3, International Festival lAbyRinTh, Poland and Germany
2007 Finishing Touch, Association of Photographers Gallery, London
2006 Signature, Association of Photographers Gallery, London
2002 Kodama Ga Kikoeru, Photo Space Koyo, Tokyo, Japan
2001 Jin Session 2001 Vol.3, Gallery Jin, Tokyo, Japan
1996 Ajan Kasvot, Savoy Theatre_, Helsinki, Finland
1996 25v. Juhlaviikko Valokuvanäyttely, Käpylä School, Helsinki, Finland
1995 Avoimet Ovet, Käpylä Schoo, Helsinki, Finland
1994 Avoimet Ovet, Käpylä School, Helsinki, Finland
1992 Placer High School Annual Student Art Show, California, USA
1992 Sierra College Competitive Show, California, USA
Publications:
2017 HAPA Japan Festival Programme, Shinso Ito Center, University of Southern California, US
2013 MAP13 Catalogue, London College of Communication, UK
2010 lAbyRinTh Festival catalog, Galeria Okno, Poland
2006 Molende – Stories of Congolese Perseverance photography book.
Publisher: Musta Taide, Finland
Residencies:
2018 Majaoja Foundation Residency, Helsinki, Finland
Grants:
2018 Erasmus+ scholarship, European Union mobility programme
2017 Erasmus+ scholarship, European Union mobility programme
2017 Conference grant, Middlesex University, London, UK
2016 Conference grant, Middlesex University, London, UK
2015 Three-year Studentship award for doctoral research, Middlesex University, London, UK
2011 One-year State Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2010 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
2010 Patricia Seppala Foundation, Finland
2010 Project Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2010 Travel Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2005 Communication Grant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland (team)
2003 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
2002 Joint Travel Grant for cultural development projects, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
1999 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
1999 Project Grant, City of Helsinki Cultural Office, Finland
Awards:
2011 International Photography Awards, New York
2010 International Photography Awards, New York
2010 Epson International Pano Awards
2008 International Photography Awards, New York
2006 Moscow International Advertising Festival
2006 Cresta International Advertising Awards, New York
2006 International Photography Awards, New York
2006 Cannes Advertising Festival
2006 Best of the year 2005 in advertising in Finland
2005 International Photography Awards, New York
2003 Finnish Marketing Association
Presentations:
2023 Keynote speech, The Nordic Network for Intercultural Communication Conference , Dalarna University, Sweden
2018 Japanese Studies Postgraduate Workshop, Japan Foundation London, UK
2017 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2017 Artist Talk, HAPA Japan Festival, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles
2016 Finnish-Japanese Symposium, University of Oulu, Finland
2016 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2015 Work : In Progress Postgraduate Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2014 Artist Talk, The Photographers’ Gallery, London
2013 Artists in conversation, Four Corners Gallery, London
Lectures / Teaching:
2010 Guest Lecture, International Festival of Photography and Media, Poland and Germany
2010 Guest Lecture, Photoforum, Four Corners Gallery, London
2004 Diploma work appraiser, Muurla Institute, Department of Photography, Finland
2003 Workshop of digital and creative photography for Congolese photographers. European Commission Visual Arts Promotion Program, the Republic of the Congo
2003 Guest Lecture, Helsinki School of Technology, Finland
2003 Guest Lecture, Helsinki Camera Club, Finland, Finland
2003 Guest Lecture, Kuva 2003, Cable Factory, Helsinki, Finland
2003 Test appraiser, Institute of Visual Communication, Tampere, Finland
2000 Guest Lecture , Eduforum seminar, Helsinki, Finland
2000 Guest Lecture, Photo Fair, Wanha Satama, Helsinki, Finland
1999 Appraiser of literary assignments, Institute of Marketing, photography courses, Finland
Trusted positions:
2004 – 2007 Board member of the Qualification Committee for Degrees on Visual Communications nominated by The Finnish National Board of Education
Elina’s practice incorporates multiple disciplines and blurs the boundaries between conceptual and documentary photography, a fine art and professional practice. Often researching the elements guiding perception and interpretations, assumptions that might seem self-evident, are challenged and manifested via unfamiliar visual outcomes. She is interested in encounters where various narratives overlap and integrate, resulting in the merging of new entities, and finding translations enabling dialogues with alternative paradigms. By presenting unexpected combinations of visuals, values or symbols, she likes to play with alternative realisations or explanations in the diversity of the values that might exist. This questions the predominant representations and what is accepted as a recognisable narrative, acknowledged visuals, appropriate aesthetics or correct paradigm.
CV
Education:
2015 – 2019 Doctorate Researcher, Art & Design, Middlesex University, London, UK
2012 – 2013 Master of Arts in Photography, University of the Arts London
1997 – 2000 Professional Photography Qualification, Institute of Visual Communication, Tampere, Finland
1994 – 1996 Photoshop Retoucher/Traditional Printer, Käpylä Vocational School, Helsinki, Finland
Screenings:
2017 HAPA Japan Festival , Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, US
2017 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2016 Finnish-Japanese Symposium, University of Oulu, Finland
2016 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2012 Photomonth International photography festival, Rich Mix, London, UK
2012 East End Film Festival, Cine-East Programme, Protein Gallery, London
2010 art_fest_2011 – International Festival of Videoart, Italy
2011 _lAbyRinTh, 11th International Festival of Photography and Media, Poland and Germany
Solo exhibitions:
2013 10×10 with Lucinda Douglas Menzies, Four Corners Gallery, London
2011 Homelandscape with Miika Osamitsu, Teamith Gallery, London, UK
2006 Molende – Stories of Congolese Perseverance, Museum of Cultures, Helsinki, Finland
2003 Ichi Go Ichi E #2, French Culture Centre, Pointe Noire,
The Republic of the Congo
2002 Ichi Go Ichi E, Gloria Cultural Arena, Helsinki, Finland
2000 Not Half but Double, Kunsthalle Studio, Helsinki, Finland
1999 Off Tracks, Gloria Cultural Arena, Helsinki, Finland
1998 _Thoughts on Life, Savoy Theatre, Helsinki, Finland
1997 The Elements Of Life, Savoy Theatre in Helsinki, Finland
Selected group exhibitions:
2014 Show Motion, UAL Showroom, London,
2014 FreshFaced+WildEyed 2014, The Photographers’ Gallery, London
2013 MA Photography Degree Show, University of the Arts, London
2013 MA Photography Interim Show, University of the Arts, London
2010 Ichi Go Ichi E #3, International Festival lAbyRinTh, Poland and Germany
2007 Finishing Touch, Association of Photographers Gallery, London
2006 Signature, Association of Photographers Gallery, London
2002 Kodama Ga Kikoeru, Photo Space Koyo, Tokyo, Japan
2001 Jin Session 2001 Vol.3, Gallery Jin, Tokyo, Japan
1996 Ajan Kasvot, Savoy Theatre_, Helsinki, Finland
1996 25v. Juhlaviikko Valokuvanäyttely, Käpylä School, Helsinki, Finland
1995 Avoimet Ovet, Käpylä Schoo, Helsinki, Finland
1994 Avoimet Ovet, Käpylä School, Helsinki, Finland
1992 Placer High School Annual Student Art Show, California, USA
1992 Sierra College Competitive Show, California, USA
Publications:
2017 HAPA Japan Festival Programme, Shinso Ito Center, University of Southern California, US
2013 MAP13 Catalogue, London College of Communication, UK
2010 lAbyRinTh Festival catalog, Galeria Okno, Poland
2006 Molende – Stories of Congolese Perseverance photography book.
Publisher: Musta Taide, Finland
Residencies:
2018 Majaoja Foundation Residency, Helsinki, Finland
Grants:
2018 Erasmus+ scholarship, European Union mobility programme
2017 Erasmus+ scholarship, European Union mobility programme
2017 Conference grant, Middlesex University, London, UK
2016 Conference grant, Middlesex University, London, UK
2015 Three-year Studentship award for doctoral research, Middlesex University, London, UK
2011 One-year State Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2010 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
2010 Patricia Seppala Foundation, Finland
2010 Project Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2010 Travel Grant, Arts Council of Finland
2005 Communication Grant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland (team)
2003 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
2002 Joint Travel Grant for cultural development projects, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
1999 Finnfoto, The Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations
1999 Project Grant, City of Helsinki Cultural Office, Finland
Awards:
2011 International Photography Awards, New York
2010 International Photography Awards, New York
2010 Epson International Pano Awards
2008 International Photography Awards, New York
2006 Moscow International Advertising Festival
2006 Cresta International Advertising Awards, New York
2006 International Photography Awards, New York
2006 Cannes Advertising Festival
2006 Best of the year 2005 in advertising in Finland
2005 International Photography Awards, New York
2003 Finnish Marketing Association
Presentations:
2023 Keynote speech, The Nordic Network for Intercultural Communication Conference , Dalarna University, Sweden
2018 Japanese Studies Postgraduate Workshop, Japan Foundation London, UK
2017 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2017 Artist Talk, HAPA Japan Festival, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles
2016 Finnish-Japanese Symposium, University of Oulu, Finland
2016 Work : Play Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2015 Work : In Progress Postgraduate Research Conference, Middlesex University, London, UK
2014 Artist Talk, The Photographers’ Gallery, London
2013 Artists in conversation, Four Corners Gallery, London
Lectures / Teaching:
2010 Guest Lecture, International Festival of Photography and Media, Poland and Germany
2010 Guest Lecture, Photoforum, Four Corners Gallery, London
2004 Diploma work appraiser, Muurla Institute, Department of Photography, Finland
2003 Workshop of digital and creative photography for Congolese photographers. European Commission Visual Arts Promotion Program, the Republic of the Congo
2003 Guest Lecture, Helsinki School of Technology, Finland
2003 Guest Lecture, Helsinki Camera Club, Finland, Finland
2003 Guest Lecture, Kuva 2003, Cable Factory, Helsinki, Finland
2003 Test appraiser, Institute of Visual Communication, Tampere, Finland
2000 Guest Lecture , Eduforum seminar, Helsinki, Finland
2000 Guest Lecture, Photo Fair, Wanha Satama, Helsinki, Finland
1999 Appraiser of literary assignments, Institute of Marketing, photography courses, Finland
Trusted positions:
2004 – 2007 Board member of the Qualification Committee for Degrees on Visual Communications nominated by The Finnish National Board of Education