Russian painter fascinated by independent and active women in Finnish politics
Under Dmitri Zudov’s brush, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Tanja Karpela, and Tarja Filatov light up in a sensual glow.
By Jussi Konttinen
“Leave the glasses on. They suit you. And that black outfit is good”, says artist Dmitri Zudov to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tarja Filatov (SDP).
Filatov sits down on a leather sofa in Zudov’s home on Vaasankatu in Helsinki. The aim is to take photographs and draw a sketch as a basis for a future portrait.
Zudov is rapidly becoming a new Ilja Glazunov - at least among Finnish female politicians.
Filatov’s portrait is part of a project in which Zudov is painting about 20 influential Finnish women.
Included are at least the Centre Party’s Anneli Jäätteenmäki and Tanja Karpela as well as Social Democrat Sinikka Hurskainen and the National Coalition Party’s Sanna Lauslahti.
“Finnish women are known to be independent and active in society. That is an interesting starting point”, Zudov says.
However, it is not the power of the women who pose for him that fascinates Zudov. The paintings do not show the expressions of determination that are seen in news photographs. The decision-makers in the portraits are sensual and feminine.
“I try to find something in everyone, which is not immediately apparent.”
Filatov feels that Zudov’s paintings have “a certain pleasant sensitivity”. “For instance, Anneli [Jäätteenmäki] has a severe expression, but there is a softness in her being. Official portraits tend to be more pompous.”
On International Women’s Day Zudov’s first women politicians were put on display at the UN office in Moscow. In April the portraits will be shown in Helsinki at the Hotel Seurahuone.
Zudov feels that Finland is ahead of Russia in gender equality. However, he adds: “naturally, there is no limit to perfection”.
Filatov feels that equality in Finnish decision-making is sometimes not as rosy as it is made out to be. “There is a boys’ gang culture here. Even in the government, big issues are decided by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.”
Much needs to be done in legislation. The Deputy Speaker would like to specifically criminalize harassment in situations in which a restraining order does not work.
Zudov draws a sketch of Filatov using rapid strokes. He generally works at a fast pace. Once the photographs are taken and the sketch made, the actual painting will be ready in just three days.
Zudov has studied the technique of Italian renaissance painters in which the outer edges, the colours, an the shadows are painted in sequence.
“I recognise my self”, Filatov says, looking at the pencil sketch.
But what will happen to the ready painting after the exhibition?
“I can’t really imagine putting my own portrait on a wall”, Filatov says.
Perhaps the works will be an addition to the art sales used for raising funds for the next Parliamentary elections.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 22.3.2010
JUSSI KONTTINEN / Helsingin Sanomat
jussi.konttinen@hs.fi
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| 23.3.2010 - THIS WEEK |
 Russian painter fascinated by independent and active women in Finnish politics |
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