Jouko Alapartanen
Jouko Alapartanen (FIN) studied at the Art School of Lapland in Tornio and at the Repin Institute’s visual arts program in Kotka. He is a key contemporary artist in Lapland and known as a brave and innovative artist inspired by art history, religions, current events, nature and human emotion. In his technically skilled paintings, he uses traditional expression as well as deviations from the norms characteristic of contemporary art. Society, ideologies and his own world view are strongly reflected in his art. He is known as a prolific portrait painter and has painted public portraits of several influential individuals, the parish priest of Kemi, Pertti Telki, and film advisor Jussi Mäkelä. He has been recognized with Tornio’s cultural award and a working grant from the Lapland Art Commission. His artwork has been exhibited internationally, and in Europe and Russia.