Aino Tillonen (b. 2001, Helsinki) is a visual artist working primarily with painting. In her recent figurative paintings and sculptural painting objects, she explores the gaze, the boundary between the private and the public, and memory. Her works are further informed by references to art history, questions of identity, and a sense of drama borrowed from theatre. An empathetic approach to subject matter and process runs throughout her practice.
Tillonen is currently completing her Master’s studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki. She has participated in numerous exhibitions in Finland and abroad. Her work has been shown, for example, in Amos Rex and Kunst Haus Wien. In the spring semester of 2025, she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. From 2026 to 2028, Tillonen will live and work in a scholarship studio apartment awarded by the Finnish Artists’ Studio Foundation, EMMA, and the City of Espoo in Tapiola, together with visual artist Paavo Kärki.
Contact
aino.tillonen@gmail.com
@ainotillonen
CV
Education
2025— MFA, Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki
2025 Akademie der bildenden Kunste Wien
2022—2024 BFA, Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki
2020—2021 Arts Academy, Turku University of Applied Sciences
Solo Exhibitions
2026 (Upcoming) Solo, Tasku gallery, Helsinki, FI
2023 Small Summer Exhibition, bläckhornet, Taalintehdas, FI
2022 Siirtymämuoto, duo exhibition with Paavo Kärki, Galleria Kalleria, Helsinki, FI
Group Exhibitions
2026 (Upcoming) group exhibition, Pesula Galleria, Sipoo, FI
2026 (Upcoming) At First Blush, Lokal, Billnäs, FI
2026 Kuvan Kevät 2026, Kuva/Tila, Helsinki, FI
2025 Einladung, Kuva/Tila, Helsinki, FI
2025 Bloom, Lokal, Helsinki, FI
2025 Grune wäsche, Kunst Haus, Wien, AT
2025 I can eat glass, it doesn’t hurt me, Semperdepot, Wien, AT
2025 Kutsu, Halle & Quergalerie, Berlin, DE
2025 Olomuodot, Kuva/Tila, Helsinki, FI
2024 Bachelor's Exhibition 2024, Kuva/Tila, Helsinki, FI
2023 Generation 2023, Amos Rex, Helsinki, FI
2023 Marcy home exhibition Bridges, Helsinki, FI
2023 in t(wo): settings & shelters, Vapaan Taiteen Tila, Helsinki, FI
2021 Mehuhetki, Space 81, Turku, FI
2021 Ensitilassa, Köysiratagalleria, Turku, FI
Grants and residencies
2023 Residency of The Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki, Berlin
2022 Föreningen Konstsamfundet /Grant
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