EXHIBITIONS

24.4 - 23.5. 2025

Naive art from Finland, the Happiest Country in the World

Finnish naïve art has a long-standing tradition, and its artists are well organized. In 1984, spouses Kalevi and Aira Heinänen founded a collection of naïve art and began organizing exhibitions in rural areas of Finland. In 1989, they brought an exhibition to Iittala, which marked the beginning of the now decades-long tradition of the summer exhibition “Naivistit Iittalassa.” These exhibitions, held in the old schoolhouse of Iittala, remain beloved and well-attended, offering Finns something deeply familiar through their empowering and joyful impact.

To raise awareness of naïve art, promote the work opportunities of artists, and encourage exhibition activity—while also aiming to be more international—the nonprofit association Finnish Naivists (Suomen Naivistit Ry) was founded in 2012. The association currently includes 36 leading naïve artists from across the country, with 27 of them exhibiting nearly a hundred works now on display at the Kondas Center.

Finnish naïve art stands out distinctly from that of the rest of the world. It is typical for Finns to depict animals handling human affairs. Winter seems colder, and the white summer nights longer. Urban landscapes are much rarer than scenes of nature. It is certainly a form of art that does not require deep contemplation—the stories are either everyday or fairy-tale-like. The images are timeless, seeking and offering hope and joy for life.

The artists firmly believe that their art has a healing effect, possibly even releasing happiness hormones. This is supported by audience feedback as well as commercial success. According to the association’s members, their work holds meaning not only for the artists themselves but also for the public, who return to their exhibitions year after year.

Artists exhibiting at the Kondas Center: Kia-Maria Aho, Kaarina Alsta, Sirpa Hammar, Marja-Muusa Hämäläinen, Stig Jansson, Maija Kanerva, Ritva Korhonen, Pirjo Laaksonlaita, Kyllikki Lahtinen, Matti Laine, Minna Lehväslaiho, Esa Leppänen, Anna Luostarinen, Talvikki Lusa, Salla Lylynoja, Hilla Löytynoja, Luciana Mariano, Markku Mäki, Virve Niemi, Anna Niinimäki, Raija Nokkala, Kikka Nyrén, Marjaana Orkoneva, Marja-Leena Pulkkinen, Tarja Rinta, Pirkko Pullinen-Valtonen ja Aimo Vuorinen.

Mari Vallikivi