Roope Itälinna (b.1990) was named today as the Finnish Young Artist 2026.
Roope Itälinna’s oil and acrylic paintings deceive the viewer’s eye with their exceptional precision. At first glace they appear to be photographs. In his works, Itälinna explores themes such as escapism through the world of electronic music. The themes and execution also contain surrealistic elements.
Itälinna has studied in the Turku Arts Academy as well as the University of Turku. Itälinna has exhibited at e.g. Untitled Miami with Makasiini Contemporary, Besides numerous private collections, Itälinna’s works are in the collection of Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art.
”Our collaboration began back in 2016 when Roope started as an art handler in our gallery in Turku, while studying at the art academy. By the time of the graduating visual artists exhibition in 2018, I realised how exceptionally talented artist Roope is. Since then, Roope has become a full-time artist, and our collaboration has continued in a different role. I am immensely proud of Roope and feel privileged to have been able to follow his career from the very beginning,” says Itälinna’s gallerist Frej Forsblom. “Roope is an incredibly humble artist who doesn’t make a fuss about himself. And then he paints in this way; very demanding and painstakingly precise.”
