Inkeri Julkunen and Other Naïve Artists

“I am a naivist, and I will probably remain one” – Inkeri Julkunen

Naivism as an established art style is multifaceted and manifests in various ways in terms of motifs, style, and technique. The artists are either self-taught or have formal artistic training. Generally, naivism is narrative, colourful, humorous, and the artists have a humane approach to life and what is depicted.

Inkeri Julkunen (1935–2017), born in Vaasa, began painting as a self-taught artist in the 1970s. Naivism appealed to her, and through her work, the art style is presented on a larger scale in Vaasa´s museums. The exhibition is complemented with works by a selection of nationally significant contemporaries Martti Innanen (1931–2014), Alice Kaira (1913–2006), Lea Kauppi (1917–1999), Pirkko Lepistö (1922–2005) and Tuomas Mäntynen (1932–2024), who were contemporaries of Julkunen, are highlighted.

The exhibition features works from the 1970s to the 1990s, including mainly paintings but also some sculptures. Julkunen often depicted her immediate surroundings, so her works have retained familiar city views of Vaasa and the Karperö area. The artist warmly portrayed people in their familiar everyday activities, in the enchantment of play or spending their free time. The depicted people were friends, neighbors or strangers passing by on the street. The exhibition has been produced by Vaasa’s museums and curated by curator Janna Sirén.