Arlia-Hamda Elmi

Arlia-Hamda Elmi is a Helsinki-based abstract expressionist artist whose work is an intensely layered convergence of place, memory, and light. Born in Somalia, raised partially in Tuscany, Italy and established in Finland since age 15, Elmi's canvases are a profound cartography of migration. Her art is know for it's vibrant color, dynamic texture, and the palpable energy drawn from this rich, disparate personal history.

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The Alchemy of Technique 

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For Elmi's painting is an escape and creation of an alternative world rooted in beauty, peace, and breathtaking colors. Her technique goes beyond application; it is a meticulous, almost alchemical process where she builds canvases in three dimensions. She applies multiple. thick layers of acrylic paint, often using various tools and her fingers to literally sculpt the surface. In her hands sections of the canvas become "light receptors"- dense. palpable textures designed to capture and redirect energy. transforming the painting into a living vibrant entity.

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Philosophy and Vision

 

Elmi is a spiritual person who draws profound inspiration form the totality of nature: the sun, the sea, the sky, and all life. Light is the central sacred element in her work, a constant echo across her varied geographies. She sustains her prolific practice by engaging with multiple pieces simultaneously, a disciplined approach that ensures productivity is harmonized with inner peace. Her ultimate vision is to create dynamic, unforgettable artwork that is not merely decorative, but carries a profound, sustainable  meaning-a tangible piece of the peace, beauty, and light she channels.

 

 

 

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