Karin Hellman

Karin Hellman (1915–2004) was an innovative and unconventional pioneer of Finnish modernism, yet her work remains unfamiliar to many.

In Hellman’s hands, materials found new and vibrant life: she combined natural materials, recycled textiles, and industrially produced everyday objects in her creations. She was one of the few Finnish artists to work predominantly with collage as her medium.

Hellman often worked on the floor of her studio, cutting old fabrics, sewing, and gluing fragments together. Her art reflects a liberated and intuitive approach to the creative process. Her interests ranged from the myths of various cultures to the phenomena of the modern world and visions of the future. A recurring motif in her work is the spiral, symbolising the cycle of life and spiritual growth. In many of her works, Hellman's anti-war sentiments are also evident.

This extensive exhibition, featuring nearly 100 works, is the first major museum showcase of Karin Hellman’s art. The exhibition is primarily drawn from EMMAs collection.