Land of Thousand Artificial Lakes

I came across an area on a map app that looked like a series of strange electronic circuit patterns. When I zoomed in, I realised what I was looking at. The area's wetlands had been transformed into artificial lakes for residential developments, designed so that as many detached house plots as possible could have their own stretch of waterfront in the backyard. The artificial lakes meandered through the area in such a way as to maximise the total length of the shoreline. The contrast between the protected natural wetland and the areas of artificial lakes was strikingly sharp, almost as if drawn with a ruler.

Inspired by these unusual map images, I created a painting titled Land of Thousand Artificial Lakes. The work features details from the maze-like blocks of artificial lakes seen on the map, alongside an imagined vision of the natural wetland that has disappeared from the area.

The oak frame is included in the price.

• Year of completion: 2026

• Dimensions: 100 × 120 cm

• Mixed media on canvas

• Framed

You can purchase the artwork directly from my online shop or get in touch by email at sura@fonki.fi.