"Silver & Enamel" @ Höyry-Galleria FINLAND > 5 - 27 October 2013
Hoyry-Galleria which translates in English to "The Steam Gallery" is a small independent gallery situated in a converted harbor building at Korpilahti, on the shore of the second largest lake in Finland, Lake Päijänne. Founded by designers Ulla Huttunen & Arto Salmien in 2011 the galleries primary intent is to promote their own work, a unique combination of enamel and wood. However, they also keenly host a busy programme of art exhibitions in a dedicated gallery space which highlights the work of professional Finnish artists and international designers.
Myself, Deridre, Michael and Cara were delighted to be invited by Ulla & Arto to show our work in their beautiful new space.
We have all had a long friendship with the pair since meeting Ulla on Enamel Conferences run by the British Society of Enamellers. This is the second time we have exhibited in Finland at their request, the first occasion being a group exhibition of British Enamellers work's which took place in 2007/08 and toured to The Kenkavero Craft Gallery in Mikkeli , then to The Kuopio Design Academy in Kupio, and was then finally showcased at The Craft Museum of Finland in Jyvaskyla.
It has been a rewarding experience visiting Ulla and Arto at the gallery and setting up the exhibition. The spacious area in the upper gallery is set off beautifully with individually designed show cases that emphasize the clarity of work.
Common to all the pieces on display is the influence of the natural environment - Read about each makers work via their websites:
Michael > http://www.michaelmccrory.com/ Deirdre > http://www.deirdremccrory.com/ Cara > http://www.caramurphy.com/
My own pieces also have nature as an element. I presented three different collections. My panels are winter in theme and were inspired by my last visit when we traveled through snow and frozen pathways on our journey. My pebble jewels are based on the simple aesthetic of natural forms and the micro series investigates the tiny natural world we cannot see, hidden patterns only visible by microscopes.
Here are just a few images to illustrate the event. > Please click on each image to have a larger view / view as a slide show ....
Myself, Deridre, Michael and Cara were delighted to be invited by Ulla & Arto to show our work in their beautiful new space.
We have all had a long friendship with the pair since meeting Ulla on Enamel Conferences run by the British Society of Enamellers. This is the second time we have exhibited in Finland at their request, the first occasion being a group exhibition of British Enamellers work's which took place in 2007/08 and toured to The Kenkavero Craft Gallery in Mikkeli , then to The Kuopio Design Academy in Kupio, and was then finally showcased at The Craft Museum of Finland in Jyvaskyla.
It has been a rewarding experience visiting Ulla and Arto at the gallery and setting up the exhibition. The spacious area in the upper gallery is set off beautifully with individually designed show cases that emphasize the clarity of work.
Common to all the pieces on display is the influence of the natural environment - Read about each makers work via their websites:
Michael > http://www.michaelmccrory.com/ Deirdre > http://www.deirdremccrory.com/ Cara > http://www.caramurphy.com/
My own pieces also have nature as an element. I presented three different collections. My panels are winter in theme and were inspired by my last visit when we traveled through snow and frozen pathways on our journey. My pebble jewels are based on the simple aesthetic of natural forms and the micro series investigates the tiny natural world we cannot see, hidden patterns only visible by microscopes.
Here are just a few images to illustrate the event. > Please click on each image to have a larger view / view as a slide show ....
The ground floor of the building houses Ulla & Arto's shop - click on the images here to view their unique designs....
Read more about them on their website > http://www.emalipuu.fi/index_en.htm
Read more about them on their website > http://www.emalipuu.fi/index_en.htm
THE CRAFT MUSEUM OF FINLAND > http://www.craftmuseum.fi/english/
Exhibition : Craft In Our Lives > http://www.käsityöelämässä.fi/en/
The ground floor exhibition predominately displayed work made with paper. I particular liked the geometric forms and light shades.
The Upper floors had a variety of work which showcased contemporary designer makers, working with traditional skills to create new products.
There were a couple of work stations in the galleries which invited visitors to have a go and get making ! Examples of inventive work by very young makers was displayed and recycled materials were the highlight. Information boards in English were informative and I like the list of key ideals involved in the production of sustainable craft works.
A separate gallery room housed collections of materials which linked to crafts and culture. The display notes different craft practices and I got the impression that historically the way of life evolved around what was available and what could be sustainably resourced, materials were maybe influenced by the culture and vice versa... Essentially craft was born though need and function is priority, though the atheistic is pure and characteristically "Finnish", making is defined and perfected.
My personal highlight of the trip was our visit to see Simo Heikkila, who has worked with Arto on a collaborative light design. Simo is an award winning furniture and exhibition designer. It was such a privilege to see his work in situ, in his home.
Learn more about him here http://www.periferiadesign.fi/index.php?page=en_media
Learn more about him here http://www.periferiadesign.fi/index.php?page=en_media
Learn more about other Finnish Designers here > http://www.finnishdesign.com/
The local landscape was also an inspiration. Korphilati is a stunning location, understandably a tourist destination, and the gallery has over 30,000 visitors in the summer months. In the "low season" Ulla & Arto still open every day as they are only 30 minutes away from larger towns such as Jyväskylä and their visitor numbers generally are growing.
....and finally, I spotted a few art/craft/design interventions...seems that its a phenomena in Finland too !
Thanks for clicking through !