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