TIINA VAINIO
Eutrophied Sheep, Conflicts of Interest and Silent Shores

In her work, Tiina Vainio deals with the condition of our waters and the diverse interests which affect our shores. The materials used are all natural.

Eutrophied Sheep

As a reminder of times gone by and the openness of the coastal landscape, there is a small flock of sheep in Mathildedal this summer. On the shore of Halikko Bay there is a lot to eat and the sheep are nice and plump. These eutrophied animal figures fashioned from willow, alder and birch are witness to the overgrown shoreline. These days, cows no longer wander in the seaside meadows, sheep are no longer taken to the islands, the water is full of fertiliser and the sea views are hidden behind walls of alder, birch and willow

Conflicts of Interest

Various interests have an impact on our shores. The struggle to get planning permission on coastal land must be fierce. Many people want a cottage by the sea, and as time goes on these peaceful places will become filled with summer cottage slums.

It is possible that the person wanting to experience untouched nature will have to contend with the dirtiness of the water. Agriculture is putting a burden on the waterways. Urban wastewater treatment is not always foolproof. Sometimes raw sewage gets into the sea and glides past the valuable shoreline plots towards the open sea.

In the art work ‘Conflicts of Interest’ a map of Halikko Bay painted with bull’s blood depicts the degree of water pollution by using varying depths of colour.

Silent Shores

The inspiration for this work came from seeing patches of blue-green algae floating on the surface of the water. However, it is also possible to see in it the beautiful green islands of the archipelago.