Minna Pietarinen

Artist & poet 

Minna was born a girl, as the third oldest in a family of 17 children in a Laestadian household. As a woman, her role model was deeply influenced by motherhood, as dictated by the guidelines of the religion. The guidance in her life was driven by the fear of securing a place in heaven, shaped by a sensitive conscience. At the age of 18, she married, and by the age of 27, she had experienced 9 pregnancies, of which only 5 children survived. In 2012, she left both the Laestadian faith and her marriage.

Throughout her life, Minna has always turned to painting and writing to cope with difficulties. She embarked on her personal journey of self-discovery and healing through the transformative medium of art therapy, eventually becoming a certified art therapy facilitator and a solution-focused coach. Minna’s art and poetry, designed to provide peer support, have extended their reach far beyond the borders of Finland, offering solace and resonating with people across the globe.

The NGO Sinako Interaction Art ry, founded together with Peppi Stünkel, provided an opportunity to bring the power of peer-support through art exhibitions to communities globally. It also awakened a desire to make human rights visible through art and poetry, so that at least one woman in the world could become aware of them and find support for herself. To help women regain control of their lives, to prioritize their mental well-being and experience a sense of empowerment. In order for them to receive words of peer support for their personal experiences without shame or fear, to know they are not alone, and to feel the awakening of hope.

Minna’s life story can be found in Yle areena 2014: Cinderella stories Tuhkimotarinoita Minna.   

Peppi Stünkel

Curator

Peppi's life is a remarkable adventure driven by a thirst for knowledge and meaningful experiences. At 18, she moved to London and, after working there, embarked on a backpacking journey through Australasia and the US. She pursued academic achievements in the UK, obtaining a BTEC Hons in European Media Studies and a BA Hons in Communication Design from the University of Portsmouth.

Peppi's entry into the gaming industry marked the beginning of a successful career in Creative Services, spanning across the UK, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. However, driven by a desire for more meaningful work, she embarked on a solo bike ride across Asia. During this journey, she connected with like-minded individuals, and together, they dedicated their efforts to improving education in Cambodia. Her continuous quest for new experiences led Peppi to Mexico, where she devoted a decade to sea turtle conservation and various environmental projects. After 23 years of exploration and making a positive impact in different parts of the world, life brought her back to her roots in Finland.

In her homeland, Peppi transitioned into international sales and marketing management for a few years before embarking on a significant journey with Minna. Together, they committed themselves to raising awareness about women's rights on a global scale. This venture reflects Peppi's dedication to meaningful causes and her ongoing pursuit of making a positive impact on the world.

Here is an article written by the Finnish Embassy in Mexico about Peppi (in Spanish & Finnish):

Uno en un millón: Peppi Stünkel sigue sus enseñanzas de vida