a documentary film in progress

Creating a feature documentary film, we are driven by a deep respect and curiosity for Iria, and the beautiful and impressive body of work she left behind.

Iria’s personal archives contain scores of photographs, diaries, letters, and notes.

In her own words, she recounts her unique life and explores themes of transcendence, creativity, love and belonging.

watch a short sample

The story opens up to the surrounding world of New York, and a SoHo teeming with artists. The city contrasts with Iria’s strong love for Finnish nature - its forms and themes reflected always in her works. Iria’s transgressive feminism and fight for parity in the art world provide a powerful political context to understanding her art and life.

A vivid mix of loft footage, art, archival fashion portraiture and historical NYC imagery is combined with 8mm film and camcorder VHS vignettes inspired by Iria’s diary entries on her daily life, dreams and spiritual divinations.

The film follows Iria’s journey into afterlife, as the Iria Leino Trust organizes a 2024 solo exhibition with Harper’s Gallery to bring her work to a wider audience.

More about Iria & the film in Vogue Scandinavia Forgotten Finnish artist Iria Leino is the focus of a new major exhibition