Artist Tatu Vuolteenaho paints portraits of Queer Witches - queer individuals who explore and embody spirituality in their lives.
Queer communities have often experienced exclusion from mainstream religions. While contemporary Western gay culture emphasises in consumerism, spirituality has been less visible. In many other cultures, however, queer, trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people have been respected, often holding roles as spiritual leaders, healers, and teachers.
Through this project, Vuolteenaho seeks to reconnect queer identity with spirituality. The artistic process begins with photography: the artist photographs the models and later translates these images into acrylic paintings. To deepen the authenticity of the work, Vuolteenaho also participates in workshops, rituals, and healing practices alongside the models, bringing lived experiences and a sense of "magic" into the artworks.
Queer Witches fabric teaser by Jani Maunula, detail from an upcoming textile.
RAINBOW MAGIC IN YLIVIESKA IN AUGUST 2026
Tatu Vuolteenaho and Jani Maunula's exhibition will be at Ylivieska Cultural Center Akustiikka in August 2026. The exhibition features Tatu Vuolteenaho's Eye-Leen self-portraits and Queer Witches portraits. Textile designer Jani Maunula designs a printed fabric based on Tatu Vuolteenaho's Queer Witches paintings. The fabric will be used to build an immersive skirt installation in the exhibition space.
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 Hämeen Sanomat from an exhibition in Hämeenlinna in September 2025
An article in Voima from an exhibition in Madrid in Spring 2023
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 Hämeenlinna. 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
