OUR MEMBERS
Search alphabetically by surname or browse and get to know our talented community of members
ARINA TAGMAZIAN
ARTIST, SCIENTIST
Arina was born in Kharkiv in 1997 and shortly after that moved to Moscow, where she grew up and had her first painting lessons in workshops of professional painters. During Covid19 time Arina discovered her love for watercolour painting again, she took online courses and attended workshops by watercolour artists, like Evgenia Korpunina, Konstantin Sterkhov, Andy Evansen and Anna Ivanova.
In her watercolour paintings, Arina captures beautiful nature or city landscapes, people in motion and the bond between them.
In autumn 2021 Arina and a small group of young artists launched the ‘1 euro Art for Charity’ auction and collected over 700 euros that were sent to 3 charity projects. In February 2023 Arina had her first solo exhibition ‘Catching the Moments’ in the Encanto Art Cafe in Helsinki and sold her first paintings. She also started her series of intuitive oil paintings.
‘It may sound pretentious but I want my art to be exhibited in the world's biggest galleries and museums in the next 10 years. Let’s see where this path will lead me :)
MARIA TEPLYKH
SCULPTOR
Maria is a Russian-born sculptor. Being born in a family with several generations of scientists and
science professors, Maria unfortunately didn’t have a chance to pursue a career in arts, which didn’t stop her from attending artistic schools, and courses, studying under several masters and practicing art all her life. She has been doing sculpture for 9 years and is training to become an ikebana artist as well. Maria also creates jewelry.
Maria is actively involved in helping people deal with depression and other crises in life, which
started from her personal experience and grew into a long volunteering career. Therefore, many of Maria’s artistic works approach mental health issues and difficult topics in everyday life: environmental pollution, loss, narcissism – just to name a few. Maria also believes jewelry has
an important meaning in perseverance, coping, and healing.
Maria has a Finnish Master's degree in Business Administration and insights into museum marketing and e-commerce analytics. As a new HIAA Board Member for Marketing, she is very happy to finally marry her academic background with her long-life passion – art. Maria hopes to bring HIAA to a wider audience and provide additional value to HIAA members through active listening to their needs and wishes.
VITALIIA TER-AVAKIAN
CERAMICS ARTIST
Vitaliia Ter-Avakian is an accomplished ceramics artist, based in Helsinki and drawing inspiration from her Russian roots. She has eight years of dedicated experience. Her work is an elegant tribute to nature's beauty, expressed through the simplicity of black and white forms.
Vitaliia's artistic journey has been shaped by a diverse range of influences, studying under several renowned ceramic artists. Beyond crafting captivating ceramics, she shares her passion by teaching in small, intimate groups. Her artistry has graced exhibitions and symposiums across Russia, captivating audiences with its minimalist charm.
ANGELINA TUKHACHEVSKAYA
ARITIST
I was born in the south of Russia, in the Krasnodar, in 1978.
After school, I studied at the Krasnodar Art School in the Design department (1994 - 1998). After graduating from Krasnodar Art School I was invited to work at the State Krasnodar Musical Theater, as a decorator (1999 - 2003).
In 2003, I entered the St. Petersburg State Academy of Arts and Industry named after A.L. Stieglitz at the Department of Ceramics and Glass (2003 - 2009). During my studies and after studying I participated in exhibitions in St. Petersburg.
After studying, I worked in a mosaic workshop and a stained glass workshop. I worked as an art critic in painting salons.
In 2012 I got married and moved to Finland.
I have a small workshop where I continue to work with glass, and I also like to experiment and use different materials in my works.
SEMRA TURKMEN
VISUAL ARTIST
Semra Türkmen was born in 1971 to a Turkish family in Shumen Bulgaria. She has been drawing actively since her very early childhood. She developed her own style by working actively and independently, continuously experimenting with different media. In 1989 she migrated to Istanbul, Turkey together with her family. There she received a B.A. degree in American Culture And Literature from the Istanbul University, Faculty Of Literature.
At the Art Club of the Istanbul University she took part in founding the art group IFAR (Istanbul Fantastik Realite), together with fellow artists working in a similar style. The artist moved to Helsinki ,Finland in 2005. Became a member of Helsinki Artists Association (Helsingin Taiteilijaseura) and Helsinki International Artists Association (HIAA). She was a deputy chairperson and exhibition coordinator of HIAA between 2009 - 2018. From 2013 to 2014 she was chosen as a member of the National Council for Multidisciplinary Art of Finland (Taike).
Her works have been exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions in Turkey, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and England.
KENNAN TURKMEN
ARTIST
He started his art studies after meeting artist Erol Denec in the Art Club of the Istanbul University.
Under the leadership of Denec he took part in the founding of the IFAR (Istanbul Fantastik Realite) Art group,
together with artists working in a similar style.
With the group he participated in many exhibitions in Istanbul and other cities of Turkey.
He graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Political Sciences.
The artist lives and works in Helsinki, Finland since 2005.
NADA TOUMA
SOAP AND COSMETICS ARTISAN
Nada is a soap artist who puts art into each soap & product. After her family's battle with skin reactions to commercial products, Nada developed a great cosmetic recipe initially for family and friends, which grew into Phoenician Goods. Initially she started making cosmetics for family and friends who eventually encouraged her to start selling. After all, the world deserves this luxury too.
She believes that everything can be made beautiful... and that discovering a great cosmetic recipe was just the beginning.
RAVALI VADDADY
ARTIST, URBAN PLANNER
HIAA BOARD MEMBER - SECRETARY
Ravali Vaddady, an urban planner and an accomplished artist with roots from India. She specializes in the depiction of diverse cultures, geometric designs, women, and urban landscapes. Proficient in watercolours and acrylics, her work reflects details and exploration of emotional depth. Her artistic exploration extends to global cultures and the interplay of geometric forms. Through skillful strokes, she conveys compelling narratives, capturing nuances of expressions and architectural complexity.
Urban sketching is her central focus, allowing her to intricately capture the vibrancy of cities and towns. Each piece evokes a unique energy, conveying an intimate connection with urban environments and infrastructures.
Her portfolio offers a captivating glimpse into a world where beauty, culture, and urban dynamics converge seamlessly.
MARIANNE VALONLEHTO
ARTIST
Marianne Valonlehto is a Finnish visual artist and a photographer. She has graduated from the Lahti Institute of Design, LAMK as a Bachelor of Culture and Arts. At the moment Valonlehto is working on with two different art series: My Nature and The Inner Temple.In these art series the inner imaginational worlds and reconnecting to nature are coming together. Within these series she is exploring the relationship with nature. With the nature she is meaning our inner essences as well as the forests and wildlife.
Besides arts Valonlehto has been studying yoga and different kinds of meditation techniques for over 17 years. She has been exploring ancient traditions from India, Tibet and Peru. To get a deeper understanding to these traditions, she has been periodically living in India and in Peru. In addition to these topics she has been studying the ancient natural wisdoms from the northern European countries.
UZI VARON
PHOTOGRAPHER
VARON captured their first images on B/W film at just 11 years old, and at 21 took a more serious attitude about the hobby, turning it to a profession.
"I enjoy working outdoors and on locations as well as producing my own ideas and fulfilling clients’ requests in my studio.
I live in Helsinki, Finland and I do the bigger part of my work here. However, photography also took me to other exciting and exotic places and gave me the opportunity to meet with fantastic people around the world. And every now and then I find the time and inspiration for private projects that I exhibit in Finland and elsewhere."
VEERA VARTIANEN (v v machine)
DIGITAL DESIGNER / ARTIST
Veera Vartiainen (VV-Machine) is a digital designer and an artist focusing on the fun side of internet and next step in creation. VV-Machine is can produce diverse concept and visual designs that correlate with the customer’s needs and tickle their sense of aesthetics and vision. On top of her work as a digital designer she does variety of different art and creative projects from digital art to repurposed statues. Her experience in both fields has enabled her to use creativity for design while being fully aware of the distinction between the two intertwining their elements when necessary.
Her work, in both design and art, is greatly influenced by her travels over the past decade. She has built a solid professional ground whilst on road and her travels has made a mark on her work.
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GLORIA VELASCO
PAINTING, DRAWING
As a Mexican Art Historian with a deep passion for painting, Gloria's artistic journey started in 2020 when she relocated to Helsinki, Finland. She embraced her painting practice with dedication and passion. That same year, she began formal studies at Vapaa Taidekoulu, where she continued to refine her skills and develop her own artistic language.
Gloria's work has been featured in several group exhibitions, and some of her paintings have been acquired by private collectors, including the HUS Helsinki, and Uusimaa Hospital District collections. Through her artistic practice, she continually discovers how profoundly her cultural background and personal experiences shape her art.
