Leena Holmström is a photographic artist based in Oulu, Finland, whose work explores the boundary between the visible and the invisible, as well as the construction of reality through experimentation and unexpected combinations of images.
Bio
Current:
PH21 Gallery solo exhibition
On the Rock ́s Skin
17.10-10.11.2026, Barcelona
I am a photographic artist based in Oulu, Northern Finland. I pursued my artistic education later in life, graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Lapland University of Applied Sciences in 2016 and a Master of Arts from the University of Lapland in 2018. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in conservation and restoration, completed in 2000.
I create photographic works using my own photographs as material. In my practice, photography serves both as a means of perception and experience and as a catalyst for inner processes. A recurring question in my work is why my attention is drawn to certain subjects and how these subjects connect with my inner world.
My work explores the boundary between the visible and the invisible, as well as the ways in which reality is constructed through experimentation and unexpected combinations of images. For me, image processing is a way of extending perception, allowing the image, memory, imagination, and unconscious associations to guide the process towards something I may not yet be able to see or understand at the moment of taking the photograph.
My practice is situated within contemporary photographic art that explores personal experience, where photography can also become a means of constructing an inner landscape. My work has been exhibited in Finland, Hungary, Italy, and Spain.
2024 The allure of the abstract, The Adult Education Centre of the City of Helsinki
2022 Experimental photography, The Adult Education Centre of the City of Helsinki
2019 Creative photography, Porkkala
2018-2021 Photography mentoring, Katseen konsultit
2018 University of Lapland, Master of fine arts (TaM)
2016 Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Culture and Arts (AMK)
2009 Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Specialization in Digital Art (YAMK)
2009 Adult Education Center of Tampere, Audiovisual Communication Degree in Design (AT)
2000 Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Master of Arts in Design (AMK)
2026 PH21Gallery, On The Rock´s Skin, Barcelona Spain
2024 Photo North Aulagalleria, At the kitchen table, Oulu Finland
2020 Cultural Center, I Stroke my hair, Muhos Finland
2020 Tyrnävä Mill Library, Meaningless moments, Tyrnävä Finland
2019 Northern Photo Center, Meaningless moments, Oulu Finland
2018 Photo Center Nykyaika, Meaningless moments, Tampere Finland
2017 Ostrabothnia Photo Center, I Stroke my hair, Kälviä Finland
2016 Gallery Napa, I Stroke my hair, Rovaniemi Finland
2016 Gallery Uusi Kipinä, I Stroke my hair, Lahti Finland
2009 UBI-näytöt / Streetgallery, Digital Art from Plants, Oulu Finland
2026 PH2Gallery, Vision & Expression: The Art of Photography, Barcelona, Spain
2026 Meän Periferia, Rajapinta, Kemi, Finland
2026 PH21 Gallery, Stories: Narrative Photography, Barcelona, Spain
2026 PH21 Gallery, The natural and artificial, Barcelona, Spain
2025 PH21 Gallery, -scapes, Barcelona, Spain
2025 PH21 Gallery, Monochrome, Barcelona, Spain
2025 PH21 Gallery, Motion, Budapest, Hungary
2025 PH21 Gallery, The natural and artificial, Budapest, Hungary
2025 PH21 Gallery, Significant Colour, Budapest, Hungary
2024 PH21 Gallery, Harmony and disharmony, Budapest, Hungary
2024 PH21 Gallery, Photographic Divercity, Barcelona, Spain
2024 PH21 Gallery, Shape, Budapest, Hungary
2024 PH21 Gallery, Motion, Budapest, Hungary
2024 PH21 Gallery, -scapes. Barcelona, Spain
2024 PH21 Gallery, Out of the ordinary, Budapest, Hungary
2024 PH21 Gallery, Vision and Expression: the art of photography, Barcelona, Spain
2024 PH21 Gallery, Upside down, Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Dolling up the lens, Barbie. Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Shape. Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Silence. Budapest, Hungary
2023 FotoNostrum Gallery, 19th Julia Mrgaret Cameron Award Exhibition, Barcelona Spain
2023 PH21 Gallery, Personality: Contemporary Portraiture, Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Urban, Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Upside down. Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Feminine / Masculine. Budapest, Hungary
2023 PH21 Gallery, Photography Visions-Winter 2023. Mini-series. Budapest, Hungary
2022 Gallery Rossocinabro, Lo Spazio Sacro – 2a ed.Rome Art Night. Rome, Italy
2022 M.A.D.S Art Gallery, Adrengromo for dinner exhibition, Milano Italy
2022 Valid World Hall Gallery, Shape, PH21, curated, Barcelona, Spain
2022 Gallery Rossocinabro, RomeArt Week, Rome, Italy
2022 Gallery Roccocinabro, Be Rossocinabro, Rome, Italy
2022 PH21 Gallery, Portraits without face, curated, Budapest, Hungary
2022 Meam Museo, invited, video exhibition in Barcelona 18-20.10
2022 PH21 Gallery, -scapes, curated, Budapest, Hungary
2022 PH21 Gallery, Significant Colour, curated, Budapest, Hungary
2022 Art Shopping Carrousel du Louvre, invited, video exhibition in Paris
2022 Palazzo Bembo, invited, Venice International Art fair – 15th Edition
2022 The Online Gallery Show and Virtual Gallery, curated, All about Women
2022 Gallerium Art exhibition, Emotions 2022, curated, Canada
2022 PH21 Gallery, Stories (curated) Budapest, Hungary
2022 Valid World Hall Gallery, The Art of Photography, PH21 (curated), Barcelona, Spain
2022 PH21 Gallery, Contemporary Portraiture (curated) Budapest Hungary
2021 Art Center Ahjo, April is the cruelest month, Joensuu Finland
2021 ArtBiennale of Lapua (curated), Lapua, Finland
2020 PH21 Gallery, The art of photography (curated) Exhibition in Rome, Italy
2019 PH21 Gallery, Material, (curated) Budapest, Hungary
2019 PH21 Gallery ,CorpoRealities, (curated) Budapest, Hungary
2019 PH21 Gallery, Glitch, (curated) Budapest, Hungary
2019 PH21 Gallery, Portraits Without Faces, (curated) Budapest, Hungary
2017 Valvegallery, Dificult times, Oulu, Finland
2016 Finland’s Nordic Art Association, Fracture, Loviisa, Finland
2014 Kew Garden IGPOTY exhibition 7, London, Great Britain
2013 City Library, Which is the first of the trees? Botanical museum, Oulu, Finland
2011 Gardenia, The Queen of the Yellow Sea and other stories, Helsinki, Finland
2011 Ostrobothnian Museum, Terranova, Poetic pixel, Vaasa, Finland
2025– Oulun Kameraseura ry
2017– Suomen valokuvataiteilijat ry
2016– Oulun Taiteilijaseura -63 ry
2016– Suomen Taiteilijaseura (STS)
