The Young Artists exhibition co-produced by the Artists’ Association of Finland and Kunsthalle Helsinki returns this spring with a fresh cross-section of current works by young Finnish contemporary artists. Consistently popular among artists and art audiences, the exhibition is based on an open call, with a record number of applications received this year – 500 in total. The jury, led by artist Jaana Kokko, selected a shortlist of 25 artists and one artist group to be featured in the show.
The four-member jury chaired by artist Jaana Kokko consisted of Kunsthalle Senior Curator Kiira Miesmaa, as well as student representatives Aleksandra Kiskonen from Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts and Miia Varis from the Turku Arts Academy. The jury was impressed by the large number of applicants and the high standard of the submitted works.
“The open call highlighted the great versatility of today’s young contemporary artists. Many young artists work across a range of different mediums including video, painting and performance, addressing both social and personal themes of immediate relevance to young people,” stated the jury chair Jaana Kokko.
Throughout its 80-year history, the Young Artists exhibition has cast the spotlight on interesting newcomers including subsequently famous names such as Tove Jansson, Eila Hiltunen, Juhana Blomstedt, Leena Luostarinen, Kari Cavén and Young Artists of the Year Ville Andersson and Nastja Säde Rönkkö. The Young Artists exhibition is a popular event for purchasing art. Nearly all of this year’s pieces are again available for purchase.
“The Young Artists exhibition is an established tradition, marking the continuation of an exhibition concept launched by Kunsthalle Helsinki in 1939. Judging by the record number of applications we received, there is a clear demand for group reviews of this kind. For many young artists this exhibition marks a generational milestone; for some, it is a springboard to professional recognition. For the audience, it presents a veritable cavalcade of current trends and ideas in contemporary art. For artists, visitors and the Kunsthalle’s personnel, it is always a special, anticipated event that we welcome with passion and enthusiasm,” commented Jan Förster, Director of Kunsthalle Helsinki.
The artists selected this year are Elina Autio, Siiri Haarla, Jussi Haro, Venla Helenius & Anna-Sofia Nylund, Maiju Hukkanen, Hermanni Keko, Nadiye Koçak, Komugi Ando, Sini Kähönen, Arja Kärkkäinen, Jenni Luhta, Anna Matveinen, Aro Mielonen, Milja-Liina Moilanen, Anne Naukkarinen, Rosaliina Paavilainen, Leena Pukki, Eeva-Maija Pulkkinen, Salome Rajanti, Mira Roivainen, Raimo Saarinen, Kristina Sedlerova, Astrid Strömberg, Pekko Vasantola, Maria Viirros and Niina Villanueva.
Young Artists 2019 in social media: #nuoret2019