Riikka Hyvönen

Finnish artist Riikka Hyvönen creates three-dimensional paintings picturing women’s bottoms bruised from roller derby. One of the few contact sports for women, roller derby rewards players with muscular bodies, and many players see bruises as badges of honor, or “derby kisses.” Using plywood, paint, glitter, and leather, Hyvönen’s works are at once confrontational and endearing to the viewer.


Hyvönen’s solo exhibitions include Gallery Saariaho Järvenpää in Helsinki, Finnish Institute in London, and Zetterberg Gallery in Helsinki. Her work has been exhibited at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, Chabah Yelmani Gallery in Brussels, and the London Art Fair, among others.