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Vargas is a Doctor of Philosophy in Art and Culture Studies (Art History) by the University of Jyväskylä (FIN) with the support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). She also holds a BA/MA in Fine Arts (Sculpture) and Art Education by the University of Évora (PT) and Winchester School of Arts (WSA), University of Southampton (UK).

Vargas accomplished artistic residencies in Japan (2007–2008), in Finland (2009–2010), Portugal and Germany (2010–2019) and Italy (2022-2025). Vargas' artwork is represented by Jyväskylä Artists Association (Galleria Becker), Ratamo Centre for Printmaking and Photography (Galleria Ratamo), Galleria G & Grafoteekki (Helsinki), Galleria Joella (Turku) and Casa das Artes de Tavira (C.A.T), PT. Vargas is also represented in public and private collections in Portugal, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Japan and Finland. Vargas exhibits regularly since 2003 in solo and group exhibitions in Portugal, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Germany and Japan. Vargas taught at the University of Jyväskylä, Department of Music, Art and Cultural Studies, courses focused on Art History (History of Performance Art, History of the Print), as well as practiced-based courses on printmaking techniques for the same Department and since 2017 until the present for the Summer University of Jyväskylä in collaboration with Fine Arts University of Lapland. 

 

Vargas curated exhibitions in Portugal, Sweden and Finland, and was the artistic director of Print Up Gallery (2016), in Jyväskylä. At the moment, Vargas focuses only in her artistic practice between Grafiikka-ja Valokuvakeskus Ratamo (Jyväskylä) and Helsinki, where she recently moved (2019). Vargas founded a printmaking studio (Vargas Print Studio). Vargas is also a mother.

Vargas is a visual artist whose projects are focused on ideas of gender empowerment, equality, femininity and human anatomy of desire. Vargas explores the relationship between the abstract and the narrative, complexities of identity displacement and the reconciliation of ambiguous concepts of belonging and migration.

"In Finland, my artistic practice primarily revolves around ancient printing techniques such as etching, woodcut, lithography, and silkscreen printing. My cultural upbringing is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of the Italian, Portuguese, French, and Dutch Renaissance, providing a rich tapestry of influence. This foundation is further enriched by diverse cultural encounters, including immersion in Japanese traditions and sixteen years of residing in Finland. 

My body of work is distinctly divided into two thematic expressions: one explores classicism, evoking childhood memories, intimacy, motherhood, and responses to trauma arising from abandonment and loss. The other investigates Portuguese identity, particularly through the family land where the flowers that flourish there play a significant role.A key element of my practice is examining the fragility of our shared natural resources as a universal language to establish a dialogue between the viewer and the artwork.

Employing ancient techniques, I create permanent impressions on metal plates, which allow for the production of multiples, transforming the act of printing into a means of conveying a sense of longing. All the flowers I depict originate from the Atlantic coastline, particularly the Southwest Portuguese landscape. 
This region, a natural reserve of unique plant species, holds personal significance as my family owns a parcel of land there. Revisiting this area every two to three years with my son reinforces the emotional and artistic connection. This family land is a site of generational continuity, represented by a house built through shared effort and resources. It symbolizes the enduring ties of family and the passage of time.

My artistic process is deeply intertwined with this heritage: I gather small plants from the area, bring them back to Finland, and subject them to an alchemical transformation. Using meticulous etching techniques, these botanical specimens are preserved on copper plates and immortalized through print. This ritual embodies a poignant connection to my roots, bridging the physical distance between my present life and ancestral heritage.
 

The interplay of classical influences and representations of nature has been a constant theme throughout my practice over the past sixteen years."

 © 2026 Rita Vargas

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