Kollektivet – Picture Book Illustration from Finland

This August, children’s culture takes centre stage at Kunsthalle Helsinki! Step into the playful and thought-provoking world of picture book illustrations in a vibrant and immersive exhibition celebrating leading Finnish illustrators.

Picture Book Illustration from Finland presents a curated selection of acclaimed illustrators from Finland, including Linda Bondestam, Jenni Erkintalo, Lena Frölander-Ulf, Edith Hammar, Maija Hurme, Erika Kallasmaa, Jenny Lucander, Laura Merz, Sanna Pelliccioni, and Maria Sann. Many of these artists have received international recognition and awards for their work.

The exhibition invites visitors of all ages to view the world through a child’s eyes and experience the magic of visual storytelling. Richly layered picture books serve as a springboard for reflection and conversation, tackling challenging topics as well as themes of hope and imagination. These prolific illustrators also raise questions about the artistic possibilities of the picture book as format in its own right.

Particular attention has been paid to the exhibition experience for children. In Kunsthalle Helsinki’s sculpture room, visitors can step inside the world of picture books, with each artist given a dedicated, experiential space that invites exploration of their distinctive visual universe. The exhibition also offers a behind-the-scenes look into the artists’s creative processes – from early sketches to final layouts.

The exhibition opens in August at Kunsthalle Helsinki, after which it will tour to other venues, including the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden.