The exhibition by the UNFORMATTED artist group brings together eight artists who explore the many meanings of water. What does water symbolise, and what roles does it play? A wide range of contemporary art forms is on display, from painting and printmaking to installations.
The exhibition is built around water as a visual and conceptual phenomenon: reflections, movement and layering. The works explore the relationship between humans and nature, environmental change and cultural memory. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on their own place in time and in their environment. A key point of reference is the River Kymijoki, whose cultural and historical significance in shaping industry, living environments and regional identity runs throughout the exhibition.
A central thread running through the exhibition is change over time, in people, in history and in materials. At the same time, the exhibition raises questions about place and ecological choices. The Optical Dreams by the Water exhibition invites viewers to dream and pause by the water. It offers a space where the past, present and future are reflected in one another through water.
Artists featured in the Kymenlaakso Museum’s exhibition: Aleksandra Kulonen, Daria Savolainen, Alexey Kovzun, Ninni Karjalainen, Sini Kunnas, Igor Baranov (Ost), Ira Derviz and Irina Rebnitskaya.
ARTIST BIOS
Aleksandra Kulonen
Aleksandra Kulonen (1977–2026) was a visual artist, cultural producer, and educator from Kotka. She was a prominent influencer in the art and cultural scene of the Kymenlaakso region. Kulonen participated in numerous exhibitions and projects both in Finland and internationally. She developed the fine arts education of the Repin Institute as part of the Kyminlinna Art Centre project, bringing international classical art training to Finland. She was a founding member of the UNFORMATTED artist group.
Daria Savolainen
Daria Savolainen (b. 1987) is a graphic designer, illustrator, and visual artist from Kouvola. She works at the intersection of design and contemporary art, exploring themes of childhood, home, and the world of fairy‑tale imagery. She holds a professional art degree and a Master’s degree in design and artistic technologies. Savolainen has participated in and received awards in international competitions, including the Biophilia poster competition. She has carried out exhibitions and art projects in Kouvola and Helsinki. She is a member of the Kouvola Artists’ Association.
Alexey Kovzun
A 34-year-old nutcase surviving by doing what’s necessary and keeping his promises. Artist, truck driver, engineer, supervisor, project manager… What title is missing? Suggest one. Currently a student in Applied Visual Arts at the University of Lapland, he previously studied fine arts at the Repin Institute. That time brought lifelong friends, great projects, and a late collaborator with whom he had plans far into the future. He is not very good at staying within boundaries, as you can tell from this text, but he respects the environment and everyone around him. Come have a chat — let’s figure something out together!
Ninni Karjalainen
Ninni Karjalainen (b. 1992) is a Kouvola-based visual artist who holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies from the University of Helsinki. Working across painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation, her work explores narratives of complex female characters. Her figurative pieces feature contrasting tones of light and shadow, reflecting her classical training at the Repin Institute. As a member of the Kouvola Artists’ Association, Karjalainen has held local solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions and artist residencies both in Finland and internationally.
Sini Kunnas
Sini Kunnas is a Finnish visual artist who made her debut in 1998 at the prestigious Artegrafica in Helsinki. Her work has been influenced by New York, China, Africa, and international artistic collaborations. Kunnas is known as one of the artists of HCPSPIRIT and as a visual artist who also gives talks. Her work emphasizes an exploration of the unity of the unseen and the seen. Based in Finnish Lapland, Kunnas values the traditions of classical painting. Born in 1969, she has created more than 1,000 original works using various techniques.
Igor Baranov (Ost)
Igor Baranov (Ost) is a graduate of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts, where he received a Master’s degree in Fine Arts. Active on the international art scene for more than twenty years, he has participated in over one hundred exhibitions worldwide, including more than twenty solo exhibitions. He collaborates with several galleries, including Haze Gallery in Berlin, Wenbo Art Gallery in Dalian, China, and Gallery SANSU in Seoul. He is a member of Manifestampe – National Printmaking Federation and the Fondation Taylor in Paris.
Ira Derviz
Ira Derviz is a multidisciplinary artist and curator whose practice explores themes of memory, the relationship between nature and humanity, and identity. In 2007, she received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts. From 2021 to 2022, she taught drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history at the Repin Institute. Since 2024, she has been based in France. An active participant in exhibitions and artistic residencies since 2006, her practice spans multiple disciplines and reflects an ongoing exploration of cultural and personal narratives.
Irina Rebnitskaya
Irina Rebnitskaya (b. 1978) is a visual artist, curator, and art educator based in Espoo. She graduated from the Stieglitz Academy of Art and Design in St. Petersburg and studied contemporary art at Aalto University. Rebnitskaya is a former board member of the Finnish Watercolor Society – having served as chair of its international committee – and the founder of the Akvarelli Ateljee gallery. She works as a curator of international art projects. In her work, she explores natural spaces and light using the watercolor medium. Her art has been widely exhibited and is held in both private and museum collections.