Anni Kostamovaara

Anni Kostamovaara works in her studio in the Roihupelto artists’ quarter in Helsinki. Her works are generally realistic portraits in one way or another, yet they are almost invariably faceless or unidentifiable. If the face remains unseen, could a particular posture, gesture, or even way of walking become the recognisable element—the unique essence that each of us possesses?

In her work, Kostamovaara challenges the boundaries of portraiture: how much can be removed from an image while it still remains representational? Questions of identity, individuality, and the experience of separateness form part of the thematic framework of her paintings.

Kostamovaara was selected as Konst & Form’s Young Artist of the Month in spring 2023. Her exhibition attracted considerable public interest, with its meticulously detailed yet deliberately anonymised portraits resonating with many viewers.