Image Credits
Uzi Varon
Artist Statement
I believe I have become an intercultural hybrid; an artist that exists between a spectrum of the Khaleeji way of life and moral upbringing, and a western educational system. In addition to this eclectic cultural background, I now thrive in an interracial marriage in Scandinavia. I am exploring hybrid identities, the paradoxes within multicultural communications and my memories of my life lived in Bahrain. Every piece of art is now purposefully made to express themes of paradox, memory and intercultural hybridity. I like to call my work "Scandarabian"
Meri Helmi Särkkä directly translates to 'Sea pearl from a salt water island' It is another way to say 'Bahrain' in Finnish.
Meri Helmi Särkkä is a Bahraini multi-disciplinary fine artist who currently lives and works in Porvoo, Finland. She works mainly with sculpture and painting. In 2022 her first debut as 'Meri Helmi Särkkä' was at the Helsinki Cathedral, launching large-scale paintings 3mx1.5m on canvas as Finland's first Arab artist to exhibit at such a historical site. in 2024 her works were exhibited at the Bahrain National Museum.
In conjunction with her studio practice, she has been invited to lead several international artist talks and workshops including at the Finnish National Museum of Finland, Oodi Library in Helsinki, Finland. Mathaf Arab Museum Of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar; the Ministry of the People's republic of China in Beijing, China; Macgregor State High School, Brisbane, Australia and the Corner College in Zurich,Switzerland.
Her previous work as 'Mariam Haji' is considered a national heritage to her country Bahrain. Her piece titled “Victory” is on permanent public display inside the National Theatre of Bahrain and her work is also included in the permanent art collection of The National Museum of Bahrain. With other collections with the Ministry of Culture in China and in Kuwait.
Up Coming
2025
2025
Solo Myymala2 Helsinki
Solo Le Pave D'orsay, Paris
Contact Me
Hello(at)merihelmisarkka.com
© 2022 Meri Helmi Särkkä