Rita Vargas

Rita Vargas (b. 1981, Portugal) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Helsinki, Finland. With a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Évora, Portugal, and the Winchester School of Arts, University of Southampton, UK, Vargas’s practice delves into themes of mobility, technology, and identity in everyday art practices, culminating in a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Vargas’s artistic journey spans numerous solo and group exhibitions, showcasing her work in esteemed galleries and cultural institutions worldwide. Notable solo exhibitions include “Torn” at Myymälä2 Gallery (2021) and “Affection Adrift” at Galleria Becker (2021). Her upcoming exhibitions include group shows at the Finnish-Madrid Institute, Madrid, Spain, and Constellations Studios, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, as well as solo exhibitions at Galleria G12, Helsinki, and Makers Gallery, Vaasa, Finland, among others.

Photo: Francis Reynolds

Rita Vargas

Photo: Francis Reynolds

Beyond her exhibitions, Vargas has participated in artistic residencies worldwide, including the Tamarind Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, the Institutum Romanum Finlandiae in Rome, Italy, and Nishiaizu International Art Village, Japan. Her work has been supported by grants from organizations such as SKR (Finnish Cultural Foundation), and TAIKE (Arts Promotion Finland). Vargas’s pieces are held in public and private collections across Europe, the United States, and beyond, including the Finnish Art State Collection, Jyväskylä Art Museum, Jyväskylä University and the City of Évora Municipality in Portugal. Vargas is actively engaged in the artistic community, serving as a member of various associations and committees, including Yö Ry Artists Association, Finnish Printmakers Association, and Helsinki Artists Association. Through her dedication to her practice and her involvement in the arts, Vargas continues to push boundaries and foster dialogue within the contemporary art world.