The three rivers of Lapland, the three elements of art – aphorisms, Markku Heikkilä´s pictures and Jaakko Heikkilä’s riverside faces – flow together in an exhibition in Korundi, forming a whole that respects people, the river and life on the banks of the rivers. I have three rivers: Ounasjoki, Torne and Kemijoki. I have lived at the riversides of all of them. It is beautiful, I have to say. It is right beside. Brothers Markku and Jaakko Heikkilä are born and raised in a village above Kukkolankoski rapids. Jaakko Heikkilä lives still in his homevillage. Markku Heikkilä has also lived at the riverside of the Kemijoki and the Ounasjoki. The rivers have always been present in their lives and influenced their personalities and work. The exhibition features paintings and photographs by Markku Heikkilä, in which he has observed the rivers. In Jaakko Heikkilä’s photographs the water sparkles in the eyes of people photographed up close. The exhibition also includes poetical aphorisms that the brothers have written by influence of chats with people along the river. The river has many colors – orange, purple, turquoise. This is paradise. Sometimes it feels like there is not enough room at home. Then I’ll stomp outside to watch the river. Jaakko Heikkilä (b. 1956) is a photography artist and photography teacher from Tornio. He is known for his intimate portraits of minorities living amongst the dominant culture. He has been featured in several solo and group exhibitions all over the world. Heikkilä was awarded the State Prize for photography in 2007. Markku Heikkilä (b. 1959) is a visual artist and visual arts teacher from Rovaniemi. The mutual rhythm between human beings and nature is usually the basis in his work. His drawings and paintings are mostly plain and the artist’s focus is in the line, which is one of the primary characteristics of picture. He has been teaching at the Open University of the University of Lapland since 2001.
