Biography
I come from Enonkoski, a small rural parish in Savo-Karelia, near Russian border. My roots appear in my work; the materials I use is often picked either from forests or the lakeshore or found forgotten in the city alley's corner. However, even though I often return to this safe area of birthplace and heritage in my work, I filter it through the rich cultural layers.
In recent years, I have spent long periods of time in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Paris, Tatarstania... And a feather of a bird found in Hanoi can easily be blended into the crane feathers picked up from the marshlands of Savolax.
I studied at Savonlinna Secondary School of Art and Music and later in Turku Arts Academy. One of the most influental teachers I had was Ismo Kajander; we share an interest towards the used, old, worn over - materials and objects which show the life lived and passing of time, although our approach is different. I have also studied e.g. glass blowing, lithography, wood cutting and goldsmithing. The best way to learn has been to work and try different materials and approaches to achieve desired effect.
My exhibition philosophy is to look for interesting spaces and make these natural and holistic entities. I would like to present my works also in places that are not primarily considered as exhibition spaces.
Contact: paavohalonen@gmail.com
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Curriculum vitae
Selected exhibitions in future, ongoing and in the past:
2021 Paino, iho, taivas / The Greatest Show on the Earth, Galleria Halmetoja, Helsinki
2021 Hanasaari cultural centre for Sweden and Finland, Helsinki
2021 Bukowskis x Marimekko
2020 Artag, Helsinki
2020 A2, Helsinki
2020 Valamon luostari / Valamo Monastery, Heinävesi
2020 HAA galleria, Suomenlinna
2019 Macro Asilo, Rome
2019 La Casa del Poeta, Rome
2019 Kasvu ja lähtö, Oulun taidemuseo / Oulu Museum of Art
2019 Kuvakirja, Nastola
2018 Sideways music festival, Helsinki
2018 Vieno Motors, Stereoleto-festivals, St. Petersburg
2018 Original designs and products presented to Marimekko in Australia
2018 Lusto, Finnish Forest Museum, Punkaharju
2018 Art and Museum Center Sinkka, Kerava
2017, GGG Gallery, Tokyo
2017, Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki
2017, Kuriiri, commission work at the Kiasma Ars17 exhibition. This works both as an independent artwork and a product, collaboration with Marimekko.
2017, Ararat, Old Chapel Hall, Porvoo
2016 Artag Gallery, Helsinki
2015 Kakola +, Turku
2015 Haihatus, Joutsa
2015, Titanik Gallery, Turku
2015 Paris Fashion Week, my designs as part of the Marimekko show.
2015 Vieno Motors, HAM's opening
2014 Forum Box, Helsinki
2014 Cultural Kitchen, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2014 Nine Life Museum, Vieno Motors, Gallery There
2013 Unisieppari, Vihreä makasiini / Green Makasiini, Lappeenranta
2012 Söderskär Lighthouse, Söderskär
2011 Kluuvin Galleria, Helsinki
2010 Enonkoski Local History Museum, Enonkoski
2009 Arkaia, Galleri Sinne, Helsinki
2008 Kaave, Galleria Huuto
2004 Suru, Galleria Katariina, Helsinki
2012 Men of Forests, Salo Museum of Art
2009-2010 Nature gives, nature takes, Kajaani Art Museum, Kokkola Art Museum, Curator Tuula Karjalainen
2009 Mänttä Art Festival, Curator Tuula Karjalainen
2009 The Hague, gallery Quartair, curator Kaisa Heinänen
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Performances & curating
2015-2022 Multiple performances with Vieno Motors , e.g. in Villa Lante, Rome
2019-22 Curating exhibitions at Hotelli Punkaharju.
Artists: Kirsti Tuokko, Sanna Saastamoinen-Barrois, Ilona Valkonen, Veikko Björk, Helena Junttila ja Sirpa Särkijärvi
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Collections
My work are in several collections, in addition to private collectors among others;
Kiasma, Finnish State Art Collection
Kerava Art Museum Sinkka
Turku Art Museum
Wihuri Foundation
Design Museum
Lars Swanljung
Finnish Art Association
Pro Artibus
City of Salo
Helsinki Art Museum
Altia
