Artist Bio

Jenni-Maria Kouch is a Finnish visual artist working in Tampere. She graduated with First-Class Honours in 2010 and she has a bachelor of Fine Arts degree and has since then worked as an instructor for art workshops and in the field of social youth work. During her parental leave in 2024, Kouch continued her artistic career.

In Kouch's watercolor paintings, soft, blending colors and shapes depict nature and our longing for beautiful, pristine landscapes. In her works, Kouch explores peace, harmony, and beauty, as well as their fractures and vulnerability. The pieces invite the viewer to reflect on their own relationship with the surrounding and distant nature.

Kouch's works have been exhibited in both domestic and international galleries, particularly in London.

Artist Statement

My works emerge from a deep longing to experience harmony, peace, and beauty.

The central theme in my works is softness and a dreamlike yearning that leads the viewer into a gentle, carefree pastel world. The pastel colors, flowers, and vegetation create a feminine language that speaks in favor of beauty and acceptance – they are beautiful just as they are, whispering quietly to those who stop to listen.

My watercolor paintings are built around light: the starting point is light, and each painting is framed by layered depth, colors, nuances, and stories that flow into one another. My landscapes are not merely external depictions but create a framework for an inner experience and a question: What does peace look like?

Images of peace and happiness are often rooted in nature. However, untouched, pristine nature is often sadly seen only as a stage for our experiences, and it is easy to forget our responsibility towards the environment. In my artistic process, I aim to minimize waste and use plastic-free, non-toxic artist-grade watercolor paints. I want to create works that stand the test of time and impact nature as little as possible.

Love and respect for nature go hand in hand with my work. The lushness, growth, and renewal of nature provide me with comfort and encouragement, and I hope my works can convey feelings of peace and harmony to viewers as well.