Nina Kokkinen’s research

List of publications 04/2025

Current research

The focus of my research is on the connections between art and esotericism, from late 19th century onwards. In my dissertation (2019, University of Turku), I examined the importance of esoteric spirituality in Finnish art at the turn of the 20th century, and re-conceptualized the notions of ‘occulture’ and ‘seekership’ – theoretical concepts building a bridge from late 19th century esotericism to present-day spirituality. In my postdoctoral research, I further delve into the discourses related to esotericism and ‘Eastern spirituality’ in modern and subsequent Nordic art. As a researcher I move across the disciplines of study of religion, art history, and cultural history.

I have also curated art exhibitions related to my area of expertise, and I’m interested in creative writing and developing my skills as non-fiction writer and editor. I have worked in close collaboration with several museums and, among other things, as a editor in chief (together with Riikka Niemelä) of the scholarly journal Tahiti – taidehistoria tieteenä / Tahiti – Konsthistoria som vetenskap.

Research fields and issues I have worked with include:

• Art & Religion: theoretical and conceptual connections between art and religion, discourses of ‘spiritual’, ‘sacred’ and ‘hidden’ in modern and contemporary art, artists as spiritual seekers, mediumistic and visionary art.
• Esotericism & Occultism: history of modern esotericism and occultism especially in relation to the field of art, re-conceptualization of ‘occulture‘ for the study of modern art.
• Art history since late 19^th century: Fin de siècle, Symbolism and early Modern art especially in Finland, discourses of ‘spiritual’, ‘sacred’, ‘visionary’ and ‘hidden’ in modern and contemporary art.
• Dialog between science and art: searching for methods and practices connecting scientific work to artistic research and expression, creative writing as tool in academic and non-fiction writing.
• Dialog between scientific and curatorial work: popularizing scientific research through curated art exhibitions, writing different kinds of texts for exhibitions.

Awards and honours:

• Edvard Richter Award 2019, granted by Finnish Art Society for high quality writing on art (Totuudenetsijät, Vastapaino 2019)
• Honorary Mention at the Art Book of the Year Competition 2020, for the edited book Spiritual Treasures, Iittala’s XXIV National Art Book Days
• Science Journal of the Year 2022 finalist, named by Finnish Association for Scholarly Publishing for the journal TaHiTi – Art History as Science (editor in chief with Riikka Niemelä)
• Science Journal of the Year 2024 finalist, named by Finnish Association for Scholarly Publishing for the journal TaHiTi – Art History as Science (editor in chief with Riikka Niemelä)

Curated exhibitions:

• Aleksandra Ionowa – Näkyjä henkimaailmasta ja rauhasta – Visions of the Spirit World and Peace. 8.2.–1.6.2025, Gallen-Kallela Museum, Espoo
• Idän henkisyys – Österländsk andlighet – Eastern spirituality. 18.5.–27.10.2024, Tikanoja Art Museum, Vaasa
• Idän henkisyys – Österländsk andlighet – Eastern spirituality. 26.4.–13.8.2023, Villa Gyllenberg, Helsinki
• Salatun tiedon tie – Path to the Hidden Knowledge. 3.6.–11.10.2020, Villa Gyllenberg, Helsinki
• Sielun silmä – The Inner Eye, 11.5.–8.9.2019, Gallen-Kallela Museum, Espoo
• Sielun silmä – Själens öga – The Inner Eye. 20.9.2019–19.1.2020, Tikanoja Art Museum, Vaasa