Neea Haapala is a visual artist known for her colorful three-dimensional textile sculptures. She is an active member of the Studio Viis collective in Lahti. In her art, Haapala is inspired by video games and animated series. She blends fact and fiction, existing characters and her own creative imagination. When creating her works, Haapala carefully considers her choice of materials and colors. In her art, touch is just as significant as appearance. Haapala graduated as a visual artisan from Kaarisilta in 2018.
At the festival, Haapala presents a vibrant collection of various Ghoul characters that inhabit her self-created Ghoul World, complete with its own evolutionary structure. Haapala’s Ghouls are hybrids of humans and animals, sometimes featuring demonic or angelic traits. Through their forms, Haapala explores genetic themes, mutations, gender, evolution, and the geographical distribution of species across the world. Her Ghouls also serve as a statement on animal rights and the unethical breeding of pets. Each creation is handcrafted using her own unique patterns.
Curators’ comments: “Haapala has built an entire Ghoul world, rich with detail and depth. Her works come together to form a striking and immersive experience.”
