Elina Brotherus

ELINA BROTHERUS

CONFESSIONS OF AN ARTIST

In her objectively documentary pictures Elina Brotherus records her own life story, and lays her most intimate states of mind bare. Thus her works become explorations and descriptions of identity and life conditions grounded in her own experiences.

Miroir, 2001

Description
In the opening sequence of the video Miroir, a nude woman is standing in a bathroom, looking at a misted mirror. The rectangular bathroom mirror is placed at the centre of the picture; in the right side we see the portrayed woman from her back. The water-drops on her skin glisten in the light of the bathroom lamp; the woman’s shoulders heave in time with her regular breathing. As the video progresses, the steam on the mirror evaporates and gradually we are able to see the mirror image of a young, blonde woman.

About the work
Miroir functions as a self-portrait. Elina Brotherus herself is the person who gradually emerges in the video. The video is a pendant to Brotherus’ work Le Miroir, a series of five photographs. As does the photographic series, Miroir centres on identity and the work enters the long tradition of artists’ self-portraits.
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About Brotherus’ art in general
In a documentary and objectively recording imagery, Elina Brotherus’ works are occupied with identity. The point of departure is her own personal stories and private experiences. Her photographs and videos range from self-portraits over treatments of emigration, homesickness and the significance of language to explorations of the issues challenging the art of painting.
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Literature
"Breadth of Vision" in Ars Fennica 2007, (Timo Valjakka), Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, 2007
"Elina Brotherus: The New Painting", Finnish Museum of Photography, 2005
"The Helsinki School: Photography by TaiK", Hatje Cantz, 2005
"Decisive Days: Elina Brotherus", Pohjoinen, 2004
"Elina Brotherus: Suites françaises 2", gb agency, 2001
"Finish Line: Starting Point, Jeunes artistes finlandais", Musée d’art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg, 1999