Meri Helmi Särkkä (Formerly known as Mariam Haji) is a Bahraini multi-disciplinary fine artist who currently lives and works in Porvoo, Finland. She works with different mediums ranging from drawing and painting to video and performance. In 2021, Mariam represented the Kingdom of Bahrain in Finland’s most prominent leading Art festival ‘Mänttä Art Festival’. She also represented her country as Mariam Haji in the 55th Venice Biennale 2013 and was the winner of Bahrain's 38th National Fine Art Competition for her “Muse” series, the youngest female artist to receive an honorary award from his Excellency the Prime Minister of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in 2012.
In conjunction with her studio practice, she has been invited to lead several international artist talks and workshops including at the Finnish National Museum of Finland, Oodi Library in Helsinki, Finland. Mathaf Arab Museum Of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar; the Ministry of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, China; Macgregor State High School, Brisbane, Australia and the Corner College in Zurich,Switzerland.
Mariam’s work is considered a national heritage to her country Bahrain. Her piece titled “Victory” is on permanent public display inside the National Theatre of Bahrain and her work is also included in the permanent art collection of The National Museum of Bahrain.
https://www.merihelmisarkka.com/
--Meri Helmi will be speaking with Alexander Komlosi, Artists Talking's host, on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at 7 pm at Yö Gallery, Lönnrotinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki.
Spaces are limited, free admission (voluntary donation), reserve your spot here.