Hi! I’m Mayah, an abstract painter and multidisciplinary artist currently based in Helsinki, Finland. Each year, I have the privilege of working abroad for part of the time, which profoundly influences my art. Many of my pieces are deeply connected to the specific locations that inspired them.

My work primarily features vibrant, street art-inspired abstracts and conceptual pieces. I love experimenting with new techniques and creating small studies inspired by my surroundings.

I was born in Finland and raised in both Finland and Nicaragua, and multiculturalism as well as multidisciplinary approaches are integral to my practice. Coming from a family of artists—including writers, actors, and visual artists—I’ve spent 20 years as a dance and performance artist. However, painting has always been a central part of my creative expression. A few years ago, encouraged by my uncle, a visual artist who gifted me my first set of paints as a child, I began dedicating more time to painting.

Mayah Holmberg is my artist name, honoring two remarkable women in my family: my great-aunt, who, at 18, left a small village in eastern Finland to move to Manhattan alone in pursuit of her dreams, and my great-grandmother, a rebel who tied herself to the trees around her home to protect the cherished forest. Both women lived life on their own terms, inspiring me to do the same.

For me, painting and art are the essence of the life I want to lead. I create art because I cannot imagine not doing so. It’s my way of expressing myself, analyzing the world, and connecting with others. Most importantly, it brings me joy and makes me feel alive.

You can find my available works here. I also do a few commissions each year. I hope you enjoy my work. I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to drop me a line or chat with me on Instagram.

Love,
Mayah

 

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, 2019, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki

Master of Arts (MA), 2011, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki

Bachelor of Arts (BA), 2007, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki

Awards and Honors

2023 City of Helsinki - personal art grant

2022 City of Helsinki - art grant for a working group

2021 City of Helsinki - art grant for a working group

2021 Arts Promotion Centre Finland - personal art grant

2020 Finnish Cultural Foundation - personal art grant

2020 Kone Foundation - personal art grant

Exhibitions and Residencies

2024 Gallery Toinen Silmä, group exhibition, Helsinki, Finland

2024 KOOLA art space, solo exhibition, Helsinki, Finland

2024 The Holy Art, group show, Paris, France

2023  NG Art Gallery, group exhibition, Maussane, France

2023 NG Art & Creative Residency Maussane, France

2020 Kone Foundation Residency, Finland

Performance Art - Selected Performances

2023 (re)construction of / Yö Fest 3.5, Yö gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2023 (re)construction of / NG Art & Creative, Maussanne, France

2023 Silent Party, Helsinki's public transport

2022 Representation of Power / performance series in Helsinki's public areas

2022 Decent Women / Gallery Pirkko-Liisa Topelius / Helsinki, Finland

2021 Decent Women ft Vendetta theater / Gallery Forum Box , Helsinki, Finland

2021 Bitchcraft - the Exhibitionist / Helsinki, Finland

Selected Works as Choreographer and Professional Dancer

2023 Virpi Saahko: Tänään nimeni on tänään / Cultural Centre Caisa, Helsinki, Finland

2021 Moving Recollections / Helsinki, Finland

2019 Textual Motion at the Box / Gallery Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland

2019 Smooth / Theater Sampo, Helsinki, Finland

2019 It’s Our Time to Listen / Helsinki, Los Angeles

2019 Intermixtures / Theater Sampo, Helsinki, Finland

2018 Boxed Up! / Cultural Center STOA, Helsinki, Finland

2018 Womenhood // Humanhood / Cultural Center STOA, Helsinki, Finland

2016  Spring Fling / Astoria-hall, Helsinki, Finland

2015 Something Old, Something New / Astoria-hall Helsinki, Finland

2015  Pintor / Astoria-hall, Helsinki, Finland

2010  What Goes Around / Cultural Arena Gloria, Helsinki, Finland

2009 Dance.fi Rockers at URB / Urban Art Festival / Kiasma Theatre, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland.

2006 - 2007 Principal Dancer / Afro Cuban Dance Theatre Fantasia Cubana, Helsinki, Finland

2002-2007 Dancer at Grupo Afro Salsa Viva & Grupo Salsa de Cuba / Helsinki, Finland

MAYAH HOLMBERG CV

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