Anneli Holmström, who is currently an artist in residence at AARK for three months, is exhibiting at Makers Gallery in Vaasa from 12.11 - 1.12.2024
"The works on show are a selection of a larger evolving series with the same name begun in 2021. As the title of the show indicates, the painting series charts four story threads that within the exhibition are reordered and re-woven to form fresh story chains. Across the series, close attention is paid to the 'visual network' both within singular paintings and across an image sequence. Unlike in typical illustrations, the stories in these paintings are self-generative with pictorial motifs, characters and landscapes continually re-mined to form new poetic relationships.
Like a random passage from a book - or a broken dream sequence - each painting is a visual fragment that aspires to a larger narrative beyond its own frame. This sense of mutability is likewise extended to the fluid state of the characters in the paintings which can readily shift between non-human and human forms. Unlike in more linear stories, the narratives in these paintings are not anchored by central protagonists or bodily forms - instead they are granted freedom to move effortlessly between animal, mineral, domestic or organic shapes.
What this exhibition therefore aims to offer is a multilayered storytelling site - one that invites the viewer as an active reader in the collecting and bridging of imagery.
This exhibition has been supported thanks to Svenska Österbottens Kulturfonden, Svenska Kulturfonden Arbitsstipendium i Bröderna Gröndahls stiftelse."
Read more 👉🏽 https://www.makersgallery.fi/en/home/
Polina Choni, who was an artist in residence at AARK in 2023 as a part of the Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (link), is exhibiting at HIAP Gallery Augusta from 20 September to 6 October.
Polina Choni’s exhibition is inspired by the rituals and observations of everyday life. Her practice involves experimenting with natural materials, heating, mixing, and creating as a form of meditation and healing. Through these actions she fosters self-awareness and connection with nature, creating a new reality based on simple joys and repetitive acts of daily life. This process reflects a journey where ordinary actions become powerful acts of creation, reflection, and restoration.
You can find all the information about the exhibition in HIAP website and in this Facebook event.
You can also read an article Polina wrote during her residency for our Work in Progress blog and for the local magazine Korpo Bladet in this link.
This year, AARK participates in Kostrundan (an open studio event) that will take place next Saturday and Sunday (7-8 September) from 11:00 to 17:00.
Here you can connect with the artists in residence in September, along with their work and ideas.
AARK page in Konstrundan website (link)
About Konstrundan: Open studios all over finland
Konstrundan, also known as The Art Circuit, is an open studio event that takes place every year during the first weekend of September. The event is free of charge for visitors.
As a visitor, you have the chance to meet artists, artisans and designers all over Finland. Most of the participants are situated in the bilingual regions along the coast, and on the Åland Islands, but there are also participants also in eg. Tampere, Hämeenlinna, Mikkeli and in Lapland.
AARK celebrates the next Open Studios on 28.07 between 14-16.00h (2:00 - 4:00 pm)
Open Studios are a great way to get to know the artists currently in residence and the work they have been working on during their time at Korpo. For those who haven't attended an Open Studio before, it's a great opportunity to get to know AARK as a project and a residency, and to gain an insight into what it means for artists from around the world to spend time in Korpo, deepening their artistic insights and practices.
Here is a link to the Facebook event where you can add it to your calendar and get more information about the event as it is updated.
The list of artists who are staying at AARK in July and who you can meet at these open studios is as follows:
Here, you can find an article that Aarón Blanco Tejedor wrote in our Work In Progress blog about the latest Open Studios celebrated in June 2024.
Please, don't be shy and join us!!
The local and rural monthly magazine Korpo Bladet, has been publishing profiles of local people with interviews done by Ida-Kajsa Johansson and photography by Peter Mustelin for over two years.
Renja Leino and Benkku Andersson, directors of the AARK residency in Korpo, were interviewed in issue number 82, published in March 2024. Here you can read the entire interview in Swedish and Finnish and learn more about the lives and dreams of this unique couple who are doing such an important role with the residency for the local community and for international and national artists alike.
You can find the interview in this link
Enjoy!
In Renja Leino's solo exhibition Contrasting Times, some of her works meet for the first time. Perhaps even surprising associations are formed, as the themes of the works arise from the times in which we live.
The works inevitably crystallise the world that is troubling the mind of the artist at any given time. The dialogue between the works is born out of current, albeit eternal, questions of existence, where situations change and the flow of news is endless.
The techniques used in her art are painting, photography and video.
Link to exhibition
Exhibition: Contrasting Times
Author: Renja Leino
Place: Galleria Aski
Date: 15.-26.05.2024
The exhibition Traversing the body as a dividing line spans many mediums, the human body can appear to be the central narrative, however, often humanness is used as a tool to highlight the nature of the landscape; social-political, emotional or environmental.
Exhibiting artists Alexandra Krolikowska, Anastasiia Sviridenko, Maria Kulikovska, Polina Choni, Sergii Shaulis and Stanislava Ovchinnikova have been part of the Ukraine Solidarity Residency Programme during 2023 organised by HIAP-Helsinki International Artist Programme. Curators: Dana Neilson and Oleksandra Kokhan.
Source: Titanik website - http://www.titanik.fi/hiap-usrp/
Exhibition: Traversing the body as a dividing lineI
Place: Gallery Titanik, Turku
Date: 20.9.–8.10.2023
Polina Choni has been at AARK as a part of the Ukrainian Solidarity Residency Programme by HIAP
Polina Choni is a visual artist with a background in the fashion and film industry. She was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. She received her master’s degree from Kyiv National University of Technology and Design in 2017. She works with the topics of environment, sustainability, and biodiversity. Nature is a source of inspiration and research for Polina, driving her exploration of the harmonious coexistence of humans with the environment. The main focus of her recent artworks is the ecological impact of the war in Ukraine. Her current practice reflects her commitment to raising awareness about ecocide consequences and advocating for a more sustainable future.
Source: Titanik website - http://www.titanik.fi/hiap-usrp/
I seek to explore the intersection of national culture, environment, and resilience by referring to the beauty of Ukrainian bread traditions. Bread is not just a food product for Ukrainians; it holds a sacred status and symbolises protection, prosperity and life. In the Ukrainian tradition, there are more than 70 types of ceremonial bread, that decorates with unique symbolic patterns. Ukraine is a country with an ancient and rich culture of agriculture. Ukrainian land is among the most fertile in the world. However, the war launched by Russia against Ukraine inflicts irreparable damage to the Ukrainian environment. The soil requires significant time for regeneration. The natural rate of fertile soil regeneration is one centimetre per hundred years. It takes nature 10,000 years to form chernozem (black soil). Soil is an ecosystem that relies on living organisms for its functioning. Environmentalists say that it's not just physical damage to the soil. Another problem is its chemical damage. The explosion of every munition is a chemical reaction. The areas where military actions take place become uninhabitable. Plants grown on such lands will be poisoned by heavy metals. This is ecocide, the war crime that Russia is committing on Ukrainian lands. We are making every effort to ensure that Russia is held accountable for its crimes.
Polina Choni - https://chemical-reaction.webflow.io/
Exhibition: BLACK SOIL
Author: Polina Choni
Place: Art House Turku
Date: 4.-13.08.2023
Oksana Mykhanko: Continue living
Exhibition: 20.04.–07.05.2023 - B-gallery’s Main Space (link)
Opening: Wed 19.04.2023 at 18–20
Ukrainian designer and visual artist Oksana Mykhanko arrived in Finland
for the first time one year ago due to the full-scale invasion launched
by Russia. With support from the Ukrainian Solidarity Residency Program
Oksana was based for eight months as artist-in-residence at AARK
(Archipelago Art Residency in Korppoo).
Mykhanko mainly works with graphics and illustration, she also
experiments with collage, textile, painting and digital art. Within
these mediums she explores identities through the prism of cultural
heritage. The most recurrent topic of her work is architecture, through
which one can learn about the features and individualities of people in
different regions, as well as aspects of their family history.
This exhibition features Mykhanko’s attempts to find what is
particular or unique about Finland, especially the Archipelago area and
the environs of AARK. Amidst thoughts of her homeland, the war and her
work related to the topic, these collages and drawings represent the
artist’s struggle to get grounded, to find a balance between being
submerged in problems and emotional stability - to focus on the
everyday, the here and now, the physicality of things. At the same time,
it is a way to get to know the culture of the country you find yourself
in. For Oksana painting and real life studies is a way to integrate
into a new society, and a new world.
«During my stay in Korppoo I tried something new for myself. I created
my first fabric collages and of course the main theme of them is boats!
What I could see from the view from my window was boats, so there was no
other choice. And they also portray the nature of the archipelago. Of
course I also made work about the war. I painted ruined and bombed-out
buildings. But at one moment I understood that I needed to show Finland
in my works, as I’m here, even though it was hard. Since the residency
I have continued working with boats, but in different ways»
At the end of March Oksana finished her second Finnish residency at
Tapiola Guest Studio in Espoo (The Finnish Artist’s Studio Foundation)
and is moving to explore another area of Finland while
artist-in-residence at Art Centre Salmela in Mäntyharju. These
residencies are supported by the Ukrainian Solidarity Residency program.
Oksana Mykhanko was born in 1992 in Kolomyia, Ukraine. Mykhanko
graduated as a painter from Lviv National Academy of Arts.
Supporters: HIAP Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme / Kone Foundation / Arts Promotion Centre Finland / Svenska Kulturfonden / Pargas Stad / Sparbanksstiftelsen i Korpo / Maj Granlunds och Kate Björks fond
Renja Leino, Hiostamo 5
15.-19.3.2023
Köysiratagalleria: Varviontori, Linnankatu 56, Turku
AARK is happy to announce that we got own space in the heart of Turku: we call it AARK Satellite, located in fabulous The Taiteen talo arts centre. We are looking for a dialogue between the international and national artists coming to stay with us in Korpo island on the Turku Archipelago, and the art scene in Turku. It will be easy to meet art professionals in this new space.
The specific activities that this space will host, are under development and will depend on the ideas of the artists around, for example: artist talks, screenings, etc.
The Taiteen talo arts centre was opened in Turku in spring 2022 as a home for art and culture – for artists, local residents, and tourists alike. Taiteen talo is located in Rettig's old tobacco factory in the middle of Turku's Old Town.
Activities are spread out over the six floors of the former tobacco factory, and its courtyard buildings. A wide array of creative professionals, including visual and performing artists, work on the premises, and the house presents all kinds of exhibitions, performances, events, and workshops.
The limited company Turun Taiteen talo Oy promotes and supports cultural activities in the city of Turku, with a mission to advance the professional possibilities and livelihood of art and culture makers, and is behind the development and organisation of the Taiteen talo concept. The study rooms of the 43 artists of the Finnish Artists Studio Foundation are located on the third and fourth floors of the main building.
First day at AARK Satellite in Turku 
Our first event was already on 24 February. That day we honoured Ukraine together with our Ukrainian residents and other visiting artists from Taiteen talo 
Screening of private diary, Tati Slobodianik on February 24th 
The German filmmaker and artist resident at AARK, Astrid Menzel, will screen her award-winning documentary Blue Sky White Clouds at Kuvateatteri (Turku Arts Academy - TUAS). After the screening, there will be time to hold an informal discussion with the artist. Don't miss it!
Information about the event:
Date: 7.3.2023
Time: 15.00 (3.00pm)
Place: Kuvateatteri (link)
Blue Sky White Clouds 2022, Director: Astrid Menzel, 91 min.
After her grandfather passes away, a granddaughter takes her Grandmother on a canoe trip to find out how to take care of the 86-year-old who suffers from dementia.
"Blue Sky White Clouds" is the documentary debut of Bremen-based director Astrid Menzel, who has already won numerous awards with her equally unsparing and sensitive short film "Unlike Today".
The successful world premiere of the documentary film "Blue Sky White Clouds, was celebrated at the renowned documentary film festival DOK Leipzig in Germany. The film won the "Young Eyes Film Award" and is currently nominated for the "Gesa-Rautenberg-Preis" at Filmfest Schleswig-Holstein and the Bremen Audience Award at Filmfest Bremen.
Menzels film debut tells a very personal story about the loss of the grandfather and the subsequent helplessness in the face of the grandmother's progressive dementia. The film accompanies the director and her brother in their act of defiance, wanting to counter their own lethargy with something active after the grandfather has died and the grandmother complains about her loneliness, hence a canoe trip through the North of Germany.
It is the director's personal perspective and the unsparing honesty in dealing with the question of what it really means to be there for a person suffering from dementia that makes this film unique. "Blue Sky White Clouds is a documentary feel-good movie with emotional depth that captivates with its charming protagonists; two infinitely patient grandchildren and a grandmother bursting with joy for life.
Checkout: www.astridmenzel.com
Gallery of stills from the film
The splitting and the space between: Ukrainian Solidarity Residencies Exhibition
Dates November 5 – November 12, 2022
Opening hours Monday to Sunday, 12:00–17:00 (extended to 20:00 on November 5th and 12th)
Location HIAP Gallery Augusta, Suomenlinna (Building nr. 33 on Suomenlinna map)
"A splitting can occur in a second or be a long drawn out process, the reverberations felt through all forms, spanning an accountable amount of time, touching all aspects of being; political, physical, emotional or other. A splitting can leave you with two sides or nothing at all, two sides of something – like black and white, two sides of a spectrum with every shade and bearing in between."
Read more about the exhibition, the artists involved, the public program and more in this link: https://www.hiap.fi/event/the-splitting-and-the-space-between/
On 22 September 2022, a diverse group of European artists’ union leaders, artists and people who work in the fields of visual arts and artist residencies came together at the Maijansali hall in the Helsinki Central Library Oodi to take part in the Building Artists’ Futures – Strengthening Solidarity symposium.
The event drew a large audience interested in learning how to help artists who are seeking refuge. The topics discussed ranged from building sustainable international support networks to finding ways to welcome displaced artists as part of local artist communities.
Artist's Association of Finland - artists.fi
Oksana Mykhanko has been an artist in residency at AARK since May 2022, as part of the H.I.A.P. program Ukraine Solidarity Residencies. She took part in the symposium Building Artists’ Futures. You can read the interview that the local magazine Korpo Bladet did to Oksana on the PDF linked bellow.
As a very special treat, artist Renja Leino’s sound work Tuuli – Vind is available on SoundCloud before, during and after the ABOAGORA 2022: Wind event! 🙌
ABOAGORA Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/p/ChW_Y6Ct4rF/
Wind (2011)
ABOAGORA webpage https://aboagora.fi/renja-leino-tuuli/
In her sound work Wind Renja Leino, an artist based on the island of Korpo, makes tangible the constant presence and significance of the sea wind in the archipelago environment. Leino’s work consists of a collection of stories told by the islanders about their experiences of the wind. They capture the way that natural phenomena, changes in the weather and the climate, have a greater effect on the everyday lives of the islanders than they do on urban communities. The stories flow smoothly between and across two languages, Swedish and Finnish, just like the daily life of the archipelago.