Emilia Usvalaakso
b. 1992
Helsinki, Finland
emiliausvalaakso(at)gmail.com
Education
2023 Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Turku University of Applied Sciences
2019–2021 University of Helsinki, Open University, Gender Studies (20 ECTS)
2015–2017 Pekka Halonen Academy of Arts, Photography
2014–2015 Lahti Academy of Liberal and Fine Arts, Photography
2012 Savonlinna Upper Secondary School of Art and Music, Undergraduate
Exhibitions and Works (selected)
2025 Kvääri/Queer, group exhibition, Gallery Toinen Silmä, Helsinki
2025 The Liberating Lesbian Gaze, photo series, published in the lesbian/feminist zine Lilat, May 2025
2023 Lesbian gaze as a deconstructor of the male gaze (in Finnish), Bachelor’s thesis, Turku University of Applied Sciences
2021 Nytt – Exhibition of Turku Arts Academy fine arts graduates, Kunsthalle Turku, Turku
2020 Sea level & Rise, Public artwork, EduCity, Kupittaa Campus, Turku
2020 Themes of gaze, pain, remains, love & senses, group exhibition, Köysirata Gallery, Turku
2018 Dimensio, group exhibition, Köysirata Gallery, Turku
2017 Jälki – Graduation exhibition of Pekka Halonen Academy, Valssaamo, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2015 Graduation exhibition of Lahti Academy of Liberal and Fine Arts, Artspace Artel, Lahti
Work Experience in the Arts
2026– Photographer, Makasiini Contemporary
2025– Event Producer, lesbian pop-up bar Utopia
2023–2024 Photography and exhibition assistant, photographer Veera Konsti
2022 Photographer and videographer, video editor, The theater production Elämän uni
2018 Photographer, The theater productions Kuka tahansa meistä and Medeia, rakkaani
2016–2017 Photography and exhibition assistant, photographer and visual artist Elina Brotherus
2017 Photography assistant, photographer Liisa Roberts