Maria Kokkonen grew up in Turku, Finland. Kokkonen studied fine arts at the Turku Arts Academy in Turku, Finland from 2011, and transferred to the Willem de Kooning Academy after an exchange semester in 2014. Kokkonen graduated from Willem de Kooning Academy in July 2015, and relocated to London, UK, where she is currently living and working.

Kokkonen creates paintings, drawings and objects with the aim of studying what part memories play in the construction of one’s personal identity. Kokkonen sees the visual language as a method to reach the boundaries of substance, and to explore the concept of self. She works intuitively, and is flexible with the materials used, allowing the image to emerge from the process.