BIO:
Teo Ala-Ruona is an interdisciplinary artist based in Helsinki, working within the expanded field of performance combining choreography, contemporary theatre and visual arts. His practice seeks a deep metaphysical transformation through which to shift the attunement of human corporeality, navigating the intersections of linguistic, somatic, and social existence. Ala-Ruona approaches the exploration of trans embodiment in his practice as a dissection of society’s conception of the body, from which he seeks to expand our understanding of what a body can be.
By using the performing body as a site for contemplation, he experiments with how alternative stage politics can transform the perceptual experience of both performer and audience. Deeply rooted in embodied practicing, philosophy and theory, his practice considers the performer as both a reflective surface and an active agent in negotiating pregiven categories.
Ala-Ruona is dedicated to the transgressive potential of performance art to expand and challenge our conventional notions of bodily limits and normalcy. His work delights in the peculiar, the perplexing, and the impure, weaving carefully crafted audience engagement with deep performer’s practice. It balances emotional and psychological tension with moments of humor and tenderness.
Ala-Ruona’s work has recently been shown in The Biennale Architettura 2025 (Venice), Performa Biennial (New York), Fundació Joan Miró Museum (Barcelona), The Vilnius Biennial of Performance Art (Vilnius), The Finnish National Gallery Kiasma (Helsinki), The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (London), Sequences festival (Reykjavik), Centrale Fies (Dro) and Toaster/Husets Teater (Copenhagen). Ala-Ruona has graduated from Master’s Programme in Art Education at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture in 2016 and from Master’s Programme in Ecology and Contemporary Performance, at Helsinki Theatre Academy in 2018.
Ala-Ruona is the associate artist of Zodiak 2025-2028. In 2025, Ala-Ruona was awarded the Linnamo Foundation Award for openness in artistic work.
In addition to his performance art practice, Ala-Ruona makes music in the band Solen Skinner.
————
READ TEO ALA-RUONA’S ARTIST PROFILE
WRITTEN BY NIMCO KULMIYE HUSSEIN HERE