I was born in Helsinki in 1963. My father was a ballet dancer at the Helsinki Opera and my mother was a nurse. For many years I dreamed about becoming a ballet dancer as my father, but eventually, I found my expression through visual arts.
In 1983, at the age of 20, I started my art studies at the Swedish Art School in Nykarleby, where I found my passion within visual arts. After school, I spent a few years working as an independent artist until I decided to continue my studies at Konstfack, the University College of Art in Sweden, focusing on Ceramics and Glass.
In those four years of artistic development, I found a special interest in the art of architecture and decided to deepen my knowledge in that field. Therefore, I took one more year of studies at the Picture and Environment department in the Konstfack art school, in collaboration with the architecture students at the Royal Technical University.
In the year 1999 we decided to move back to Finland with my whole family, establishing ourselves in the archipelago of Turku, where I am still living. Here I studied pedagogy and offered education in visual arts to children and adults.
ME
2008 my husband and I decided to start a tourist business in the family farm’s old barn. Hotel Nestor, a picturesque hotel in the heart of Österretais village was ready in 2009. Together we run this family business between 2009-2016.
In these years we were also offering art camps and running an art gallery in the hotel. Simultaneously, I had an idea about creating a sculpture path along the Archipelago trail. This environmental art exhibition became a reality together with other artists from the archipelago. Today the path is a recognized international art project called Barefoot Path. You can visit the website in Barfotastigen.com
“ When I observe my surroundings, my thoughts start to work and the painting takes shape inside myself ”
cv
Education
1994-95: Honours year, Konstfack College of Art, Three- dimensional Design; Art meets Architecture, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
1989-94: MFA, Konstfack College of Art, Three-dimensional Design; ceramics and glass, STOCKHOLM SWEDEN
1983-86: Swedish School of Art in Nykarleby, Preparatory Art Education; Painting, FINLAND
Memberships
Turun Taiteilijaseura ry
Solo exhibitions
2024: Sydänperä Galleri, with Anna Nyreen, Nauvo, Finland
2024: Skärgårdscentrum Korpoström, Finland
2010 – present: Continuous yearly exhibition, Galleri Nestor, Korpo, Finland
2007: Westers Konstgalleri, with Evakaisa Ailus and Merita
Pajuniemi Hellikainen, Kimito, Finland
2006: Gamla Kommunalstugan, Pargas Finland
2004: Galleria Raya, Turku, Finland
2003: Galleri Spectra, Kristnestad, Finland
2001: Stentorp, Pargas Finland
1995: Galleri Belange, Stockholm
Selected group- and collective exhibitions
2021, 2013, 2012: BarefootPath, Environmental Art Exhibition, Korpo Finland
2011: Contemporary Art Archipelago (CAA), Turku European Cultural Capital Program, Finland
2011: AiA (Artist in Archipelago Network), Skärgårdscentrum Korpoström, Finland
2007: Galleri Campus, Turku, Finland
2007: Curated exhibition; Kvinna/Woman, Gamla Kommunalstugan, Pargas Finland
2006: Achipelago Artists exhibition, Skärgårdscentrum Korpoström, Finland
2000: Korpo, Finland
1999: Kiskon Makasiini, Finland
1997: Galleri Oden, Stockholm
1997: Uppsala Konstmuseum, Anna-Lisa Thompsons Stipendiatutställning, Sweden
1996: Ekebyhovsslott, Sweden
1995: Galleri Grå, Stockholm Sweden
1994: Tyresö bibliotek, Sweden
1994: Ekebyhovsslott, Sweden
1991: Kyrkorummet, Svenska Kyrkans vandringsutställning, Sweden
1990: Galleri Konstfack, Sweden
1986: Kaskö, Finland
1985: Vasa Konsthall, Finland
1984: Nykarleby, Finland
Grants
Svenska kulturfonden, Finland (2000, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2023)
Konstsamfundet, Finland, 2013
Martha och Albin Löfgrens kulturfond, Finland, 2012
Konstsamfundet, Finland, 2012
Suomen kulttuurirahaston Varsinaissuomen rahasto
Kuvataiteilija Pia Rousku-Hellgren ja työryhmä ympäristötaideprojektin toteuttamiseen Korppoossa, Finland, 2012
Estrid Eriksson, Sweden, 1991
Svenska Österbottens Kulturfond, Finland, 1986
Other
2023 – 2024: Artist talk series; Over the Sea, with Anna Nyreen, Nauvo and Korpo, Finland
2012: Initiator; Barefoot Path, Environmental Art Exhibition, Korpo Finland
2009: Initiator; Archipelago Sculpture Trail for Turku European Cultural Capital Program. Later involved into Contemporary Art Archipelago (CAA) Exhibition (2011)
2009 – 2011: Host; Artist Residence Program for CAA artists, Korpo, Finland
2012 – 2018: Host; Artist Residence Program Barefoot Path artists, Korpo Finland
2001 – 2006: Art Educator, Pargas High School and Upper Secondary School, Pargas, Finland
Awards
2014: Pargas Stad Culture Award, for work with Barefoot Path Environmental Art Exhibition
2013: Svenska Dagen Award, Svenska Kulturfonden, for work with Barefoot Path Environmental Art Exhibition
1994: Konstfack Graduation Exhibition Award, Anna-Lisa Thompsons stiftelse, Sweden
Paintings
In this page you can find the collections or paintings I have for sale right now. Take your time to submerge yourself in them, take your time to let them touch your soul, and if you love one of them, you can purchase it straight from the webpage. But if you need to speak with me, here you can find my contact information.
contact
PIA ROUSKU
Österretaisvägen 53
21710 Korpo
+358 400917765