MARJA-LIISA AALTO-ANNALA
Marja-Liisa Aalto-Annala was born in Lapua, Finland, in the spring of 1939 into a culture-positive family. Her mother was a talented pianist and her father a skilful drawer. But already in the autumn of the same year, Finland was drawn into a war with heavy consequences for the family. They lost their home in the aerial bombing attack of the city of Oulu, and her father died towards the end of the war in 1945.
Since her childhood, Marja-Liisa’s aspiration is to transmit beauty, as beauty heals and nourishes the soul.
Marja-Liisa studied at the Institute of Art and Design, Helsinki (1958-62). In the summer of 1960, she participated in a course taught by Oskar Kokoschka at International Summer Academy, Festung Hohensalzburg, in Austria, where her work was recognized with the 2nd Place Kokoschka Prize.
After the graduation, she continued her development at the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts, as well as in the Academie Julian, in Paris.
After her two daughters were born, Marja-Liisa worked as an Art Teacher for 30 years and continued her artistic expression during free time.
For Marja-Liisa the line and its rhythm are important, energy and movement in general. In her work, she transmits harmony, balance and peacefulness. Amongst her most used media are woodcut, charcoal, oil paint, pastels and collage.
Currently living and working in Loviisa, Finland, she has participated in numerous collective and solo exhibitions both in Finland and abroad and is featured in various international art publications.
