Visual artist and art educator Katja Luoto deals with themes of power, corporeality and critical posthumanism in her works.
Luoto’s artistic work is diverse - for example video works, textile sculptures and installations.
Luoto is interested in place-bound and communality. Her art often reflects on identity, societal and social status.
She has graduated as a visual arts educator from Aalto University in the fall of 2023 (Master of Arts). Luoto graduated as a visual artist in 2002 (Tampere University of Applied Sciences) and studied postgraduate studies in visual arts (Lahti University of Applied Sciences) and textile design (Häme University of Applied Sciences).
She has been making performances and participating in invited and group exhibitions since 2006. Luoto has extensive media and art teaching experience. She is also a long-time board member of Ars Häme ry, a founding member of Tawast Tease ry, and a member of Muu ry.
SELECTED SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Guardians of the Secret, group exhibition, Voipaala art centre, Valkeakoski
2025 "Peikko" Ars-Häme ry Valokiilassa -displayed in the window gallery
2024 Muutos.art, group exhibition, Tampere, Finland
2022 NÄYTTÄMÖ -summer exhibition, Häme county government house, Hämeenlinna, Finland
2022 Herbaario 22 - group exhibition, Pispalan nykytaiteen keskus Hirvitalo, Tampere, Finland
2018 "Mielikki", public art project in Lasten Barokki, Janakkala, Finland
2017 Johtolanka ‐ Ledtråd, group exhibition, Rydals museum, Sweden
2017 Taidepolku, Lasten Barokki, Janakkala, Finland
2016 TEXO ry Textile art triennial, group exhibition, Museokeskus Vapriikki, Tampere, Finland
2016 Muunlaisia Merkkejä, group exhibition, Muu Kaapelin galleria, Helsinki, Finland
2016 Kutojat, group exhibition, Riihimäen Taidemuseo, Riihimäki (invited)
2015 Pinnalla, group exhibition, Seinäjoen Taidehalli, Seinäjoki, Finland
2014 Heponauta, group exhibition, Hyvinkään taidemuseo, Finland (invited)
2014 Tekstiilitaiteen näyttely, group exhibition, Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö, Finland (invited)
2013 Kerrostumia, with Juha Veltti, Gallery Tärinä, Riihimäki, Finland
2013 Pula-aika, with Anne Savitie Pispalan nykytaiteen keskus Hirvitalo, Tampere, Finland
2013 Onnentunti, group exhibition, Kaapelitehtaan Valssaamo, Helsinki, Finland
2012 Alussa, private exhibition, Gallery Tärinä, Riihimäki, Finland
2012 Art Häme -taideviikot, Kaupunki minussa, group exhibition, Gallery Uusi Kipinä, Lahti, Finland
2012 Climate symbols in Arts, group exhibition, St. John’s Church, Riga, Latvia
2010 Kierrätys- teollisuuden ja taiteen liitto, group exhibition, Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö, Finland (invited)
2009 "Haavitar" public art with Anne Savitie, Faces Etnofestival, Karjaa and Art Häme 09, Riihimäki, Finland
2009 Kierrätystä, SKJL:n group exhibition, Riihimäen taidemuseo, Finland
2008 Riihimäki Artists´ association biennale, group exhibition, Riihimäki Art museum, Finland
2008 Neljä ulottuvuutta, SKjL 70th anniversary exhibition, group exhibition, Voipaala Art center, Valkeakoski, Finland
2008 Hämeen nuorten näyttely, group exhibition, Gallery Arx, Hämeenlinna, Finland
2007 Väliaika, group exhibition, Galleria Raya, Turku, Finland
2006 Riihimäki Artists´ association 50th anniversary exhibition, Gallery Allinna, Riihimäki, Finland
COLLECTIONS
2023 "Puupistiäinen", public collection Art museum Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö, Finland
2021 "Kuningatar" and "Aikakaudet", public collection Art museum Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö, Finland
2020 "Ulpu", public collection Art museum Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö, Finland
2015 "Arkiriitti III", The city of Riihimäki public collection
2014 "Arkiriitti", Private collection
PERFORMANCE AND HAPPENINGS
2023 Noin seitsemän morsianta -performance, kulttuuritila Linja-autoasema, Hämeenlinna, Finland
2022 Emerge/Hurricane -performance, Metronom -festival, Mustio, Raseborg, Finland
2016 Kätköissä majani -performance, Riihimäen taidemuseo, Finland
2016 Kuorijat -performance with Anne Savitie, Taiteiden yö @ Riihimäki, Riihimäen taidemuseo, Riihimäki, Finland
2016 Kuorijat -performance with Anne Savitie, Lahti Blog Party, Lahti, Finland
2016 Prinsessapeli -performance with Anne Savitie, Raasepori, Finland
2014 Noin seitsemän morsianta -performance ART HÄME -taideviikot, Forssa, and theatre festival Lain§uojattomat 15, Pori, Finland
2013 Noin seitsemän morsianta -performance ART HÄME -taideviikot, Riihimäki, Finland
2013 Kuteeks vaan -performance with Anne Savitie, Riihimäen Taidemuseo, Riihimäki, Finland
2013 Hannu ja Kerttu vaellus -performance Grimm Laboratorium -assembly, theatre festival Lain§uojattomat, Pori, Finland
2012 Kuorijat -performance with Anne Savitie, Performanssifiesta, Pispalan nykytaiteen keskus, Tampere, Finland
2012 Prinsessapeli -performance with Anne Savitie, Pirkanmaan 5. triennali, Tampere, Finland
2012 Kuteeks vaan -performance with Anne Savitie, theatre festival Lain§uojattomat XIII, Pori, Finland
2011 Prinsessapeli -performance Grimm Laboratorium -assembly, theatre festival Lain§uojattomat XII, Pori, Finland
2011 Tulipelätin -communal art with Anne Savitie, Faces Etnofestival, Karjaa, Finland
2010 Puku -performance Hysteric Sisters -assembly, theatre festival Lain§uojattomat XI, Pori sekä Riihimäen taidemuseo, Finland
2009 Hillitön soossi -performance Hysteric Sisters -assembly, theatre festival Lain§uojattomat X Pori, Finland
2008 Kuorijat -performance with Anne Savitie, Faces Etnofestival, Karjaa sekä theatre festival Lain§uojattomat IX, Pori, Finland
2008 Kuvittelee olevansa a multi-artistic theater visualisation with Juha Veltti. Performed at Rakastajat Teatteri, Pori sekä Teatteri Telakka, Tampere, Finland
2005-2006 Faces Etnofestival, site specific art, Karjaa, Finland
BURLESQUE
2022- Harriet Hairy - burlesque alter ego
2022- Cattitude - member of a burlesque duo
2020- Plan (B)urlesque -member of a burlesque group
PUBLICATIONS
2023 MA thesis: Omasta moninaisuudesta enemmän totta – burleskissa saat katsoa, mutta esiintyjän ehdoilla. Aalto University. Viewable at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/d90d295b-d03c-4edf-aa4a-d50b0660462c
2015 Artistic work mentioned in Aalto University Bachelor's thesis, Ruoka-aika! Ajan esittäminen ruoka-aiheisessa nykytaiteessa. Viewable at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/315e445f-1753-4e81-a994-387eca03806b
2007 Postal card illustrations for the cultural project “Silmän ilo”
2007 Cover image for the Pirta magazine (the Kalevala Women’s Association)
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2021 Aspan Ateljee, Union of Finnish Art Associations, Lohja, Finland
GRANTS
2025 Hämeen taidetoimikunta, for artistic working, 3 months
2010 Young Artist of the year, The city of Riihimäki
COMMISSIONS
2020-2022 Photos for the calendar of the Plan B(urlesque) dance group and in to their promotional images
2019 ja 2021 Artwork photos and video of Anne Savitie's serial performative sculpture Maastoutumisasu.
2019 Photos for Valoisa jooga & tanssi company's website and other social media channels and for future advertising use.
2014 Photos for the ArtFlowYoga company for marketing
2010-2014 Posters for Riihimäki Kuvataiteilijat ry joint exhibitions.
2012 Photos from Anne Savitie's work Parapuku, maastoutumisasu Pyynikinharjulle.
WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF ART
2025- Taidehalli Häme, exhibition secretary of the art association Ars Häme ry
2023- Co-producer of burlesque events
2012-2014 Gallery manager, Riihimäen Kuvataiteilijat ry, Riihimäki
WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF ART EDUCATION AND PEDAGOGICAL DESIGN
Art pedagogue, Riihimäki basic art school 2025-
Art pedagogical design, Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiö 2023-2024
Substitute teacher, the city of Riihimäki and Janakkala municipality
Media education, sivutoiminen tuntiopettaja. Tervakosken yhteiskoulu. 2016-
Ekaluokkalaisten kulttuuripolku/drama workshop Kätköissä majani. ARX, Janakkala and Hattula municipality. 2018-2022
Preschool contemporary art workshops in kindergarten Usvis, Janakkala municipality, 2021-2022
Cinema manager, organizer of school events. Youth workshop activity supervisor. Kino Tervakoski. 2016-2018
Taideharrastus ihan lähellä - project artist, ARX, The city of Hämeenlinna 2016-2018
Project artist - workshop on rehabilitative work activities, The city of Hämeenlinna 2017-2018
Project artist - Lasten Barokki, Janakkala municipality, 2017-2018
PUBLICATIONS AND MENTIONS
2023 Master´s thesis: Omasta moninaisuudesta enemmän totta – burleskissa saat katsoa, mutta esiintyjän ehdoilla. Aalto Yliopisto. Available: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/d90d295b-d03c-4edf-aa4a-d50b0660462c
2015 Mention: teos osana ruoka-aiheista tutkielmaa. Ruoka-aika! Ajan esittäminen ruoka-aiheisessa nykytaiteessa. Available: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/315e445f-1753-4e81-a994-387eca03806b
2007 Illustrations for Silmän ilo -kulttuurihankkeen Minimoi-korttikampanjaan
2007 Cover image for Pirta -magazine (Kalevalaisten naisten liitto)