Markus Jäntti

Markus Jäntti was born in 1994 in Hyvinkää (Finland). He lives and works between Berlin (Germany) and Espoo (Finland).

In his artistic practice, he explores the themes of outsiderness, the generativity of endless visual stimuli, and the intersection of high and pop culture. In his paintings and prints, Markus Jäntti’s composition is loose and his subjects are composed of fragments. They move fluidly between pop art, naivism, and contemporary expressionism, building interesting visual bridges. Repetition can be found both within and between works. His equestrian motifs borrow their shapes from the horses of top-brand logos, playfully referencing luxury and status. Yet, in their materiality, they are something other than the silk scarves draped over the shoulders of the upper classes. His fragmented horses and bodies are deeply nostalgic, conjuring memories of souvenirs, small figurines, and childhood toys.

Markus Jäntti studied with Robert Lucander at Berlin University of the Arts, and participated in the Hunter College Studio Art Master Programme in New York (USA). He has been awarded, among others, the Elsa-Neumann-Stipendium des Landes Berlin and the Finnish Art Society’s young artist grant. His recent solo shows include: “Free Spirit” for the Finnish Glass Biennale in Riihimäki (Finland), “Collisions” at Vallilan Panimo in Helsinki (Finland), “Slow Down - Gnomes at Play” at Galleri Apoteket in Romakloster (Sweden), and “Unicorn Stories” at the Finnland-Institut in Berlin. He is currently a visiting lecturer at the Berlin University of the Arts.