Thoughts While Farming, as the name suggests, is a series of thoughts. These thoughts have been on my mind while working at my farm in Siuntio. Farm work is often monotonous and therefore also ideal time for thinking and reflecting. In addition, the meditative nature of monotonous work fuels all kinds of creativity. My works are an interplay of rural contexts and urban influences. This interaction itself depicts a possible world in which countryside and cities are not artificially separated but their interdependency is understood and valued.

Thoughts behind the works are not explicitly related to each other nor do they form a coherent story, but they all study farming through the lens of regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture aims at promoting vitality instead of exhaustion of resources. Regenerative farming does not rely on chemicals but on biodiversity and the immune system of healthy plants and animals. The colors in these pieces also depict the effervescent joy of a healthy and diverse garden. Although rural thoughts might not feel relevant to a city-dweller, we all should remember that the primary production of food and its ecological footprint are relevant to us all.

Essi Ruuskanen is a street artist from Siuntio. Alongside her own projects she also works with SAV Taidekollektiivi (Street Art Vantaa) and G-Rex street art guild. Ruuskanen depicts often edible (wild) plants and human’s relationship to them in a post-climate crisis world and knowledge related to these plants as civics in a world that creates unity between nature and society.

In addition to street art Ruuskanen also does art planning for neighbourhoods, art curation, resident work and production.

www.essiruuskanen.com
www.savtaide.fi
@essiruuskanen_art

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