Chained to Light

Valoon kahlitut (Chained to Light) is a multidisciplinary art exhibition by the working group of Anne-Mari Ahonen, Heta Kaisto, Hanna Koikkalainen, Hanneriina Moisseinen and Anne Puumala. The exhibition has been inspired by the life and career of Julia Widgrén (1842 – 1917), Finnish pioneer in photography. Widgren, who began her career in the 1860s, was one of the most successful photographers in Finland. She lived an exceptionally independent life as a woman and entrepreneur in Vaasa. Her most well known photograph is the iconic photo of Antti Isotalo and Antti Rannanjärvi in shackles, taken in 1869. The working group examines the world views behind the photographs. The focus of the exhibition revolves around development of photography in Finland, womens’ active role in the early photography and the less studied photographs of power: photographs of prisoners, people of the countryside and women. The exhibition consists of archive photos, contemporary photography, object installations, textile works, drawings and videos. The exhibition has been supported by the Finnish Culture Foundation, Finnish Art Promotion Centre, Svenska Kulturfonden, Otto A. Malmin lahjoitusrahasto, WSOY:n kirjallisuussäätiö, Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, Eugène and Elisabeth och Birgit Nygréns stiftelse.