Juhani Siljo 

Pekka Halonen painted "Juhani Siljo" using oil on canvas. The material of oil paint, with its capacity for layering and blending, allows Halonen to model the sitter's face with subtle gradations of light and shadow. The brushstrokes are visible, creating a textured surface that animates the portrait. This direct handling of the paint contributes to the sense of immediacy. Halonen’s technique reflects academic training, but also an interest in capturing the individual character of his subject. The act of painting itself becomes a form of labor. Each stroke contributes to the overall image, a testament to the artist's skill and time invested. By focusing on the materiality and the making of this painting, we can appreciate the artistic labor involved, and move beyond the traditional emphasis on subject matter alone.