PELKO Group Exhibition

The PELKO exhibition will be presented at Poriginal Gallery from December 3rd to December 27th, 2005. The exhibition features visual artists Raija Heikkilä, Henrika Lax, Annukka Majamäki, Anu Miettinen, Arttu Sailo, Riikka Wesamaa, and Heli Änkö.

PELKO is a group exhibition by seven artists living in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Almost all of the group members share a common educational background from the Free Art School. The group has previously exhibited in nearly the same composition in the KASVOT exhibition at the Heinola Art Museum in 2003. The PELKO exhibition was also shown earlier in 2005 at Galleria Rantakasarmi in Helsinki.

The theme of the exhibition is fear. Each of the artists in the group has addressed fear from their own perspective in their previous work. At Poriginal Gallery, we present works that have been collectively designed as a whole and created specifically for this exhibition on the theme of fear. The exhibition presents seven different perspectives on the topic of fear.

The word “fear” is defined in the Contemporary Finnish Encyclopedia as follows:

“— a strong, unpleasant emotional state, which can include symptoms such as heart palpitations, trembling hands, increased blood pressure, the need to urinate more frequently, abdominal symptoms, etc. Fear arises when an individual finds themselves in a situation that has previously caused pain, discomfort, disappointment, or other negative experiences. Anxiety is fear without a clear target; a phobia is an abnormally strong, irrational fear.”

Thanks to the Finnish Arts Council and the Uusimaa Art Committee.

Raija Heikkilä
I am working on tempera paintings about the fear of living, the fear of acknowledging one’s own desires.

Henrika Lax
Whether I wanted it or not, I have been thrown inevitably and irreversibly into being. I am moving whether I want to or not. I am on a journey, not knowing where to. I must accept uncertainty.

Annukka Majamäki
In my works, I explore the purpose of fear, what fear is unnecessary or necessary. Also, at different times, rational and irrational fears have been defined differently. My works are paintings and photographs.

Anu Miettinen
My photo series tells the story of domestic violence. In my work, I visually explore the facelessness of fear and, through a quote, convey the atmosphere of fear.

Arttu Sailo
My paintings depict tensions between people.

Riikka Wesamaa
In my works, I aim for a painterly interpretation of the experiences of loneliness and community, and of that undefined inner space from which these experiences grow. My works are oil paintings.

Heli Änkö
Accepting death makes room for new, budding growth.

This text was created with AI assistance