Juliana Hyrri

Illustrator

©Milka_Alanen

©Joel_Petzold

Chosen by contemporary comics

Juliana began as a fine artist before moving to comics illustration
Her first full-length comic novel, The Nightingale That Never Sang, was published in 2019
She is a multi-disciplinary artist who combines several techniques in her work

Juliana Hyrri claims comics chose her. "I am a visual artist for whom writing is an inseparable part of my practice." She became interested in comics during a course at Aalto University in Finland, from where she has a master's degree. Juliana also has another master's degree from the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki. She cites her brother's childhood drawing folder as equally important to her finding her path. Juliana was given the folder at the time of a creative bloc. ”Suddenly, my work was guided by some kind of liberation and detachment from seriousness,” she explains. Placing herself in the long tradition of comic illustration and writing, she draws inspiration from history and techniques themselves. To her a well-made comic means more than excellent illustration. It must relate on an emotional level, and ring with authenticity and sincerity.

Interview

©Milka Alanen

How would you define what you do?: I am a visual storyteller. Writing and telling through art offers my thoughts time and space. Artistic work has opened a way for me to bring out something my words and communication skills would otherwise not be quite enough for.
Do you master any specific techniques?: I combine many techniques. I draw, paint and write in various forms, but I also make ceramics, installations, textile works, animations and frescoes. Mostly I use oil and acrylic paint, pencils and markers. I once made drawings directly on the wall with charcoal.
Is there something about your work that people do not realise?: Thinking is an important part of practice. It is sometimes hard to accept this, even for me, since in one is expected to constantly present results. Thinking is also a full-time job. Thoughts cannot be stopped. Ideas appear in the most unexpected places.
What are your sources of inspiration?: They are often connected to fairly ordinary observations, taking me away from the present moment and deep into a certain kind of emotional charge. This requires maintaining a state of sensitivity, which I consciously remind myself to restore at times.

Juliana Hyrri is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2015