Tarja Heikkilä

18.04.-2.06.2016

Tarja Heikkilä

Birch Twig Art. Inspired by Paul Kondas’ paintings

Natural organic materials and recycling are a rising trend in our increasingly technological and consumption-oriented environment. We yearn for more closeness to nature and genuine materials in our lives. 

Tarja Heikkilä of Porvoo contributes by using the expressive, renewable and recyclable birch twigs she has gathered for free in her neighbourhood. Birch twig art is rooted in folk tradition. Brooms and whisks were necessary tools, and the skill of making these items was a part of people’s everyday life. Tarja forms birch twigs into unique pieces of art or items that can be used at home for interior and garden decoration, both for everyday or festive occasions. Her sensitive and highly elaborate works arouse admiration and sometimes astonishment in audience. What can birch twigs bend into? They can bend into many things if only there is someone who can bend them.

Birch twigs are more for Tarja than just a source of unique creativity. She has published several books about them (“Twigs and Wire” 2009, “Beauty and Birch Twigs” 2014, and “Birch Twig Birds” 2018), organised exhibitions and courses for those interested. Working with twigs requires silence and concentration. For many people, creativity and calm activities offer an alternative to hurrying and the chase for success.

The exhibition in Kondas Centre is Tarja’s first exhibition outside her native Finland. The twig sculptures are inspired by the paintings by Paul Kondas, the artist’s Art Nouveau imagery and nature-loving approach to life. The work process was time-consuming and the works gained their final form in the course of the process – twig after twig, listening to and respecting the material.

Mari Vallikivi