Navigating North. Works from the Wihuri Foundation Collection

The exhibition looks north, featuring numerous artists who either come from northern Finland or reside there, highlighting themes related to the natural environment and local communities. One of its primary thematic concerns is the relationship between humans and nature. It portrays how nature is a source of life and strength, but also an object of control and exploitation upon which humans have left their imprint.

The exhibition features works by 48 artists.

The exhibition has been curated by Kiasma curators Saara Hacklin, Kati Kivinen and Satu Oksanen.

In 1942, the successful Finnish entrepreneur Antti Wihuri and his wife Jenny established the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation with the stated goal of “fostering Finland’s cultural and economic cultivation”.

The art collection had its inception in 1957 when the Foundation began supporting Finnish artists through art acquisitions.

Rovaniemi Art Museum was founded in conjunction with the collection being donated to the City of Rovaniemi. The museum has been based in the Korundi House of Culture since 2011.

The collection comprises roughly 3,500 works spanning from the 1940s to the present day, with approximately 50 new acquisitions added annually.