BIO:
Teo Ala-Ruona is an interdisciplinary artist based in Helsinki, working in the expanded field of performance at the intersection of choreography, contemporary theatre, and visual arts. His practice seeks metaphysical transformation that shifts the attunement of human corporeality, navigating the intersections of linguistic, somatic, and social existence.
Ala-Ruona’s artistic practice operates within the politics of corporeal philosophy. He exposes the human body to analysis, making it a palpable site for examining the operations of the categorising gaze. In Ala-Ruona’s work, trans embodiment operates as a conceptual framework and a philosophical apparatus through which he critically examines society’s conception of the body, expanding the understanding of what a body can be.
By using the performing body as a site of felt contemplation, he explores how alternative stage realities can transform ways of relating to corporeality, for both performers and audiences. Ala-Ruona is dedicated to the transgressive, brutal and non-semantic potential of performance art to expand and challenge our conventional notions of bodily limits and normalcy.
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. His work celebrates the absurd, the impure, and the peculiar, 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 – Center for New Dance 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.
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READ TEO ALA-RUONA’S ARTIST PROFILE
WRITTEN BY NIMCO KULMIYE HUSSEIN HERE