About us – Kenen enkelit?

Terhi Utriainen, project director

I am professor of Study of Religion at the University of Helsinki, and hold the title of docent in Study of Religion and Gender Studies. My research interests lie within the borderlands of contemporary vernacular religion and secular culture. I am also interested in ritual studies and the intersections between religion, embodiment, and emotions.

https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/terhi-utriainen

Hanne Kiiveri, project visual artist

I am the visual artist and initiator of the project. In my artistic practise, I cross boarders masterfully. I source ideas for my artistic work from literature, as in the case of this project. I was inspired by Terhi Utriainen’s research diary ‘Angels on the Desk’ (Enkeleita työpöydällä), which I read in 2020. I photographed “Wicca & her Guardian” inspired by her book. I also have found ideas for my art from esoteric literature, such as the works of Irish mystic Lorna Byrne, where visuality is tangible. Not to exclude the humorous angels of her books. Many art historical treasures, such as Hugo Simberg’s “The Wounded Angel”, have served as visual sources of inspiration. The first picture in the project is from 2017.

https://www.hannekiiveriart.fi/

Kaarina Koski, project researcher

I hold the title of docent in Folklore Studies and the Study of Folk Religion. Among other topics, I have researched traditions regarding death and fantasy creatures. I am especially interested in folk narrative, the conceptualization of unclear matters, and multivoiced negotiations of reality. I work at the University of Turku as a university teacher in Study of Cultures.

https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/kaarina-koski

Oscar Ortiz-Nieminen, project researcher

I am an art historian and scholar of religion. I am passionate about spaces and images and their intersections with society and different world views.

https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/oscar-ortiz-nieminen

Erja Koljonen, project communications assistant

I am an expert in social media and a communication services secretary. I am figuring out how to make good use of her new skills in brand management in the project. I’m a keen communicator especially interested in subcultures and marginal matters.

kolttonen.com