Picture gallery

 

EXHIBITION PROGRAM 2024

ANNI KINNUNEN

The Great Escape

9.8.-27.9.

"All that glitters is not gold." The strong bodily presence and subjective color experience sometimes slide into full surrealism, and the charged color juxtapositions challenge the viewer to a dialogue about what is real and what is not.

Oulu artist Anni Kinnusen's exhibition The Great Escape is a story about how man has gradually distanced himself from nature, the landscape has turned into a stage and humanity into a role-play. Kinnunen himself is the subject of his camera, but the works are not self-portraits. Different characters appear in the pictures, which are aesthetically more like fantasy than related to the self-documentary self-portrait that has become a manner of photographic art. On the other hand, the characters have a relationship with both the author's state of mind and the mood of the prevailing era.

The unnaturalness is present in the works in a tormenting way - it swims precisely on the border between beautiful and creepy and therefore seems like an honest way to describe our time. The extravagant artificiality is sometimes funny, but it also contains direct questions about the relationship with nature and alienation: where are we heading and why, are we running away from something?

The exhibition collection of the Imatra Art Museum includes large-sized photographs from The Great Escape series, the miniature sculpture Fool's Gold (2018) and the video work Hollow (2018). The newest pictures in the exhibition are from the summer of 2023. In the pictures, a shoulder, a plastic wig or a pair of hands covered in silver gloves stick out from the dark surface of the sea. The unreal atmosphere of Kinnusen's color-tuned works is created in carefully constructed, authentic filming situations.

Picture: Anni Kinnunen, Wish (2023), Diasec

The Imatra Art Museum is currently not accepting new exhibition applications.

Upcoming exhibitions

TIMO KOKKO

Momentary Appearance

11.10.-5.12.

Visual artist Timo Kokko from Kuopio explores the essence of installation and sculpture in his art through materials, immateriality, space, light and observation. The works deal with ecological values ​​and issues related to humanity. Man, nature, time, the moment and momentaryness are recurring themes in his works.

Kokko is building three large-scale installations at the Imatra Art Museum, two of which have Vuoksi water flowing through them. The works are based on the idea of ​​the human relationship and the effects of activity on nature. Kokko makes his works from recycled materials.

 

PAULA TELLA

One with the void – Gaps in the structures of existence

16.12–2024

Visual artist Paula Tella's works are based on the East Asian tradition of painting, which includes meditating on the landscape and trying to reach its ultimate nature. Tella works physically, trying to record the physical experience of the landscape, giving room for chance.

 

Past exhibitions 

ZOOM19

In spring and winter, the exhibition space is taken over by the visual arts students of the LAB University of Applied Sciences with their thesis exhibitions. As usual, the theses are presented in two parts. The first group will perform from 24.2 February to 10.3 March. and the second from 17.3.–31.3.2023.

24.2.-10.3.

Antti Ahtee, Kristiina (Aunt) Kajaste, Kaisa Kallioniemi, Ninni Kola, Mariella Korhonen, Mari Koskela, Teemu Kykyri, Emma Okkola, Saara Ripatti, Vilhelmiina Tikka-Rissanen, Heli Toikka, Santtu Tuomola

17.-31.3.

Niina Alakopsa, Robin Clark, Veera Costa, Nikita Furin, Vera Haanpää, Minna Heikkilä, Olga Hyvönen, Henna Kainulainen, Heidi Karanta, Jasmin Lier, Taijatuuli Louhivuori, Anni Maajärvi, Veera Mankki, Melina Modinos, Terhi Skippari

11.4.-2.6.

SYMBIOSIS 

Jussi Valtakari and Antti Ylönen

After Easter, you can enjoy the traditional art of wood carving with a modern twist. Kuvanveistajät, who have been working on joint art projects for several years Jussi Valtakari and Antti Ylönen create works in which Valtakar's mini-sized human figures are combined with Ylönen's sturdy forms that emphasize the materiality of wood. Valtakari's works that criticize society and current affairs through gentle humor tell the story on the stage created by Ylönen.

 

FLORA AND FAUNA 

16.6.-21.7.2023

Art associations of South Karelia 

Marja Estola, Sinikka Hänninen, Tarja Häsä, Heikki Ikävalko, Helena Jaatinen, Kirsi Kiviaho, Kaarina Leminen, Mirka Lempiäinen, Merja Leppänen, Hannu Leskinen-Estola, Pirjo Lindberg, Svetlana Lunina, Markku Nurmi, Natalia Perepelkina, Pirjo Pirinen, Outi Pollock, Helena Roiha, Ritva Räsänen, Raili Salojärvi, Juri Tamminen, Sirpa Tuomaala, Riku Tuuha, Marjaana Tyk a villager

The exhibition of the art associations of South Karelia presents the production of its members with a wide spectrum from classical drawing to rough ITE art. The creators have been inspired by the surrounding natural and built environment, the places that tickle the sense of beauty and the animals that live in them. Topics are approached through realism, fantasy and humor. Poltava's topical ecological themes also appeal to many of the artists in the exhibition. The exhibition includes members from all art associations in the region.

 

INTERSECTIONS

4.8.-29.9.2023

Mayumi Niiranen-Hisatomi and Annu Vertanen

Crossroads-in the exhibition, the works of two artists representing different cultures and generations and working with different techniques together create a whole, where past and present, memories and experiences intersect and intertwine into a new common story.

Japanese-born visual artist living in Kajaani since 2010 Mayumi Niiranen-Hisatomi wants to raise the value of existing objects through his works and bring the diversity of culture to the public to experience and see. He uses existing objects and recycled and natural materials as materials for his works, striving to create his work in the most ecological way possible. The technique of the work is selected according to the conditions of the work to be produced, and Niiranen-Hisatomi often has to learn a new technique in order to be able to create the desired end result. In the works, both Japanese and Finnish age-old methods of making objects of use and art intersect, as well as materials found in the nature of both countries, such as lacquer made from the sap of the urushi tree and Kainuu kaolin, a wild clay used in art ceramics.

A printmaker from Imatra, professor Annu Vertanen the works have seen features of the Finnish landscape and Japanese design and aesthetics, which are characterized by a simplified graphic look, strong use of color and clear boundaries. The Risteymiä exhibition features works from Vertanen's Flag series, where the artist reflects on Finnishness and the relationship of Finnishness to other nationalities. Who is Finnish and who is not Finnish? The question is complex and there is no simple answer.

Vertanen has been working on the flag theme since 2016. The newest works in the series are from this year. Over the years, the content of the works has changed from public to private. The artist has also reduced his expression to a minimum; the spaciousness and depth effect noticeable in the first parts of the series have faded into non-existence. What remains is a reduced, abstract surface that hides the flag motif.

 

MEMORIES AND MEMORIES

Harri Turunen and Reijo Turunen

6.10.-3.11.2023

Memories and Memory Traces presents a versatile selection of works that deal with the theme of memories and memory traces from different perspectives. Abstract works, realistic paintings, sculptures and photographs offer their viewers different ways to approach the complex world of memories. The exhibition encourages visitors to stop for a moment and think about how memories shape us and how they can be interpreted through art.

At the center of the exhibition is the question of what we remember and what we want to remember. Memories are an important part of our identity and experiences, but at the same time they can become distorted over time or receive different interpretations from different people. Questions about whether we can trust memories and how they affect our perception of ourselves and the world around us are current themes in the exhibition.

Is it the artist's job to make memory traces visible? Can art authenticate mental images and capture them permanently on canvas, stone or a photograph? The exhibition challenges visitors to consider the role of art as a mediator of memories and their interpreter.

The works on display in the exhibition offer a versatile coverage of different styles and ways of expression, from abstract expressionism to precise realism. The works of art bring to life a spectrum of emotions from joy to sadness and from hope to melancholy.

 

10.11.-8.12.

CREATION AND ITS GUARDIANS 

Ulla-Maija Kallinen's paintings 

2023 at the Imatra Art Museum

The colorful paintings of Ulla-Maija Kallinen, a visual artist living in Paimio, reflect internally experienced nature experiences, images left by nature.

Photo: Ulla-Maija Kallinen, Flowering garden, 2022, gouache, marker, pencil

 

15.12.2023 – 12.1.2024

WILLIAM DENNISUK

now and then

The starting point of Dennisuk's work is the question of whether still life still has life today. How can a setting that has its foundation in the material world explore things that go beyond a purely material outlook on life? Can we explore our relationship to our everyday life, to nature, to our social life, to the environment, to our mental state through a still life? Dennisuk offers us clips and some answers from his journey that started in 2015 and is still going on.

William Dennisuk is known as an environmental artist and sculptor. For the second time, large drawings are on display at the Imatra exhibition. The technique is carbon drawing.

A visual artist with a US background who has taught at several art schools in Finland and abroad. Lives and works in Imatra.

Photo: William Dennisuk, Welcom to Oblivion, 2023, charcoal on paper

 

MARJO HALLILA

Violation

19.1.-23.2.

Through the paintings, photographs and video works of visual artist Marjo Hallila, Rikkumus deals with how any of us can commit illegal activities purely out of thoughtlessness. Hallila puts everyday violations in dialogue with the Ukrainian war raging in the background. How to weigh bad deeds? How do the scraps collected from the national park look next to war crimes?

Photo: Marjo Hallila, from the series Violations 1–26, 2021, monotype, acrylic paint

 

FORMATION

In the spring and winter, they take over the exhibition space again Fine art students graduate from the Design Institute of the LAB University of Applied Sciences with the artistic parts of their theses, which, as usual, are assembled into two exhibition ensembles.  

1.-15.3.

Noora Ahonen, Aapo Arnkil, Reetta Huuskonen, Ville Kemppainen, Heidi Kettunen, Silja Kumpulainen, Melissa Mauno, Taneli Mustanoja, Miika Niskanen, Eevi Palonen, Riina Sydänkorpi, Joona Vuoristo

22.3.-5.4.

Eevert Hyppänen, Sanna Kallojärvi, Toivo Kiviniemi, Summer Bonfire, Vilhelmina Korhonen, Senni Koskenvesa, Nora Lindeman, Maija Mäkynen, Maija Pakkanen, Pinja Palviainen, Anna Siitari, Twinkle Tapper, Heli Valkama

 

 

JAAKKO KILPIÄNIEN

A white dream

12.4.-31.5.

Photographer Jaakko Kilpiäinen has been photographing Finnish funk architecture since the beginning of the 2000s. The first part of the project was a collection of funk architecture from the Finnish period located in the area of ​​ceded Karelia. Later, he has photographed both iconic and lesser-known and downright forgotten funk in different parts of Finland.

A white dream -exhibition encourages you to look at and think about building heritage in ways other than through well-known sites. The valuable building of your own village can be an important landmark and identity maintainer. A white dreamyttely takes a stand in favor of the sustainable use of the building heritage, and the whole includes about 40 black and white photos taken with a beam camera and a short film about the short-lived Pallas Hotel.

The Imatra Art Museum and the City Museum together with the Border Museum will organize an architecture bike ride on May 25, which will be announced separately.

Picture: Sports field ticket kiosk, Mikkeli. Architect Martti Välikangas 1936. Photo: Jaakko Kilpiäinen

 

 

ARTIST SOCIETY OF SOUTH KARELLA

7.6.-26.7.

Peace

In times of crisis, the roles of art and the artist are emphasized. Through art, the community can deal with its pain points, but at the same time, with the help of art, it can look at a different world and awaken thoughts of a better tomorrow. Art does not only deal with grievances, but it can also serve as a building material for a new era and regional cultural identity.

Peace is a concept of the same type as freedom. There is freedom for something and freedom from something. Peace can also be approached in the same way: peace to something or peace from something. In the works proposed for the exhibition, 'peace from something' is defined as the absence of peace, war or haste that prevent the feeling of peace. In turn, 'Peace for something' manifests itself as a need for one's own inner stillness, which can be found, among other things, in nature and relaxation techniques. The exhibition transports the viewer from 'peace from something' deeper into 'peace to something' - from unrest to peace.

The Peace exhibition is the 35th anniversary exhibition of the Southern Karelia Artists' Association. The society currently has 174 members, including the curator Kalle Hamm selected the works of 12 artists based on an open call for members of the artists' association. The artists featured in the exhibition are: William Dennisuk, Janette Holmström, Mikko Kallavuo, Viivi Kiiskinen, Jyrki Markkanen, Samuli Nihtilä, Pauli Parkkinen, Saara Reinikainen, Rauni Tanskanen, Tuomas Tyrisevä, Susa Walve ja Enni Vekkeli.

History 

Juho Mäkelä, Niskakoski salmon dam, 1938, watercolor, Sihtola Imatra collection