Tatu Vuolteenaho paints portraits of queer witches. They are queers and their allies who are into spirituality.
Queer people have often felt excluded from mainstream religions and spiritual groups. Gay culture in the western world offers alcohol, sex and shopping, but spirituality has been less visible. In other cultures the queers have been seen differently. They have often held trans, intersex, androgynous people, feminine males and masculine females in high respect and the queers have been seen as spiritual leaders and teachers.
Tatu takes photographs first and paints from the photos. Tatu participates in workshops, rituals, healings etc. to learn more about the models. That way he hopes to get some magic into the paintings.
30 paintings were made in the 1st series: Pietari, Fuckery Von Flesh, Mercedes, SpaceWitchPop, Juan Carlos, Yiorgos, Kangela, Mark, Bright Daffodil, Shaman Bear, Maisa, Dalva, Jani, Halo-Is, Oscar, Yvonne, Leandro, Othon, Sami, Tinttu, Kake, Andres, Prasida, Martyn, Diego, Johannes, Platania, Risto, Johanna, Carlotta Moore.
The paintings are 100 x 81 cm, acrylic on canvas.
An article in Voima from an exhibition in Madrid in Spring 2023
MORE EXHIBITIONS IN 2025 - 2026:
- Taidehalli Häme in Hämeenlinna, Finland, 30.8. - 21.9. Opening is on 29.8. 2025 on the Night of the Arts
- Akustiikka in Ylivieska, Finland in August 2026. This exhibition is part of the cultural program of Oulu2026.
Aim is to have exhibitions in many countries. This project can go even further: research trips to Latin America, academic studies and a book.
Textile collaborations with Jani Maunula and House of Disappointments
Textile artist Jani Maunula designed printed fabric from Tatu's Eye-Leen self portraits. This fabric has been used in immersive installations and in performance outfits. Next fabric design is based on the first 30 Queer Witches paintings and it will be featured in an exhibition in Ylivieska in August 2026 as part of Oulu2026 official program. www.mylostuncle-missingsince1979.com www.instagram.com/mlums79/
Ballroom group House of Disappointments have created outfits from the Eye-Leen fabric and have performed at the Kiasma's Queer Art Superstar Ball, Rainbow Magic exhibition opening in Espoo and will be performing on 29.8. 2025 at the Rainbow Magic Exhibition opening in Taidehalli Häme. www.instagram.com/houseofdisappointments/
QW art project aims to sell the works and part of the profits go to help our less fortunate LGBT+ friends. A gay refugee from Uganda Geoffrey Rainbo has inspired us to include this aspect into the project.
Art Lectures
Tatu Vuolteenaho is giving art talks called "Drag Queens, Aliens and Queer Witches". They are about Tatu's colourful queer party history and why the QW art project seems like a good idea now. Tatu can give the lectures in Finnish, English or in Spanish.
See the London lecture from The Glory on Youtube
