biography

Salla Tykkä lives and works in Helsinki, Finland. She completed her MFA at the Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki, in 1995–2003. During her studies, she focused on photography and moving image as her main mediums. In her video and film works, Tykkä has utilized a range of formal strategies, from short fiction to feature-length documentary. Her practice is rooted in female experience, especially in the act of looking and the processes of coming to see and to be seen. By disassembling, reframing, and rethinking images and scenes of images, Tykkä unveils their connections to political and structural power often embedded in everyday visual narratives. She is interested in how emotional, fragile, and personal perspectives can, through creative processes, fuel a political and critical stance toward life and work.

She has held several solo exhibitions both in Finland and abroad, including: Galerie Anhava, Helsinki (2024, 2020, 2015); Södertälje Konsthall, Södertälje (2022); Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Turku (2019); Ludwig Museum, Budapest (2018); M – Museum, Leuven (2016); BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle (2013); De Appel, Amsterdam (2006); Yvon Lambert Gallery, New York (2006); FACT, Liverpool (2004); Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen (2004); Portikus, Frankfurt (2004); Tramway, Glasgow (2003); Kunsthalle Bern, Bern (2002); and Galerie Yvon Lambert, Paris (2002).
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including at: Artspace Boan, Seoul (2023); EKKM, Tallinn (2023); Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, St. Gallen (2022); Momentum Biennial, Moss (2019, 2009); Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg (2017); Göteborgs Konsthall, Gothenburg (2015); MAXXI, Rome (2014); The Metropolitan Arts Center, Belfast (2013); Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, Lausanne (2013); Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul (2012); Turner Contemporary, Margate (2011); the 17th Biennale of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (2010); Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki (2010); Ludwig Museum, Budapest (2009); Western Front Society, Vancouver (2008); P.S.1, New York (2008); The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh (2008); Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Vienna (2008); Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca (2007); Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal, Montréal (2007); Galleria Civica di Modena, Modena (2007); Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2006); Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (2006); Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel (2005); Bergen Kunsthall, Bergen (2004); Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach (2003); Parco Museum, Tokyo (2003); Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2003); Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo, Rome (2003); Casino Luxembourg, Luxembourg (2002); Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius (2002); Art Unlimited, Basel (2002); Tramway, Glasgow (2002); Centre d’Art Santa Mònica, Barcelona (2001); and the 49th Venice Biennale (2001).
Her films have been widely screened at festivals around the world.