Elemental by Tiina Power

ELEMENTAL is the inaugural exhibition by two local artists SiLKA and Tiina Power. Both originate from overseas (UK and Finland respectively). This exhibition elevates the traditionally more muted tonalist landscape style to a more exciting contemporary character. They are supported by Susan King (originally from Ireland) with a display of her elegant sterling silver stacker rings.

Tonalism is an impressionistic style depicting atmosphere and feel by employing the tonal qualities of a limited colour palette. Developed in America in the 1880s to 1915, tonalism often features images of calm twilight scenes. The later Australian movement based in Melbourne used somewhat lighter palettes with more contrast.

A bit more about Tiina Power:
Tiina has always been drawn to creative expression and has been painting for many years. In the past Tiina mostly focused on detailed drawing and painting of New Zealand birds and flora. The current exhibition however springs from a new direction that she took during the 2021 Auckland lockdown. I discovered “Tonalism” and fell in love with this approach. I could say I got obsessed and both studied old masters’ works as well as painted for hours each day. What most appeals to me in “Tonalism” is the focus on expressing mood/feeling, atmosphere, imaginary scenes and only an illusion of detail with a limited palette of colours. Working with art therapy is what first got me back into painting many years ago, and tonalism allowed me to pour my feelings into my paintings like I had never done before. Thus emerged the darkness and hope, of the months of lockdown, some of which I am exhibiting here.

Tiina has been drawing and painting since childhood but took a long route to get to where she is today. Born in Finland but immigrated to New Zealand in 1991 with Kiwi husband, whom she met and married in Scotland whilst living as members of the Findhorn Foundation spiritual community. Tiina gained a Master’s degree in Ecology and Botany in Helsinki University in Finland (1987), and later trained as a Psychotherapist at AUT. Today she combines her love of nature and training in psychotherapy by working with art therapy as well as painting nature themed acrylic and oil paintings and her art has been for sale at the Red Door Gallery in Waipu. Tiina lives with her husband and adult son on a lifestyle block in Puhoi where they enjoy growing organic fruit and vegetables all year round.