HAM exhibition to shake up preconceptions about softness and handicraft

The contents of the works in the exhibition are related to both private and societal themes. Under the pretext of softness, it is possible to express strong opinions and activism, and through the material nature of the works and the way in which the works are made, artists process their personal memories, identity, knowledge passed on through generations, nationalities and belonging. The view that handicrafts are tied to the domestic sphere and are the work of women receives different interpretations in the exhibition. Artists such as Dzamil Kamanger and Kholod Hawash utilise the skills they have learned from previous generations in their work. Their art carries with it painful experiences of exile and the injustices of their own cultural sphere.

Local and national identities have traditionally been strengthened through recycling familiar handcraft models in the immediate circle of friends and family, as well as art textiles that have become internationally renowned, such as the Forest (1967) wall rug by Uhra-Beata Simberg-Ehrström. Hand-woven, knitted, embroidered or crocheted objects are linked to a feeling of familiarity, timelessness and tradition. They exude continuity and naturally strengthen the feeling of belonging. These nostalgic characteristics open ways for artists to process and strengthen content and other types of messages that are important to them. The Fake Star (2020) wall rug by Ahmed Al-Nawas and Minna Henriksson will transport your thoughts to the golden age of Finnish fine arts and the time when Finnish nationalist culture was built in a fervour. At the same time, the work comments on the artificial nature of such national identity projects.

Will you marry me, space? (2022) installation created by Jenni-Juulia Wallinheimo-Heimonen specificallyfor this exhibition juxtaposes the extremes of disability activism: the extreme accessibility of space travel and the discriminatory structures of our social policy.

“In these times, despite the rule of hard values, it is important to highlight the mental and material softness surrounding us. Cooperation and soft activism will always yield better results than violence and strict views,” says exhibition curator Sanna Tuulikangas.

The artists featured in the exhibition are: Ahmed Al-Nawas & Minna Henriksson, Niran Baibulat, Joona Braf, Paavo Halonen, Kholod Hawash, Karin Hellman, Helena Hietanen, Ulla Jokisalo, Lotta-Pia Kallio, Dzamil Kamanger, Jonna Karanka, Sari Kemppinen, Irma Kukkasjärvi, Ilari Kähönen, Arja Kärkkäinen, Klaus Nyqvist, Timo Rytkönen, Sonja Salomäki, Kimmo Schroderus, Uhra-Beata Simberg-Ehrström, Anu Tuominen, Pauliina Turakka Purhonen, Anna-Karoliina Vainio, Timo Vaittinen, Heli Vehkaperä and Jenni-Juulia Wallinheimo-Heimonen

Most of the works in the exhibition belong to HAM’s collection. The exhibition was curated by HAM Curator Sanna Tuulikangas and architects Aalto+Aalto were in charge of the exhibition architecture.

Softy / HAM Helsinki Art Museum 5 November 2022–16 April 2023

Press photos:
www.hamhelsinki.fi/en/ham-info/media-bank/ (password: hammedia)

HAM Helsinki Art Museum
Tennispalatsi, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8
00100 Helsinki
Opening hours: Tue 10–17.30, Wed–Sun 11.30–19, Mon closed
Tickets: €12/10, free admission for those under 18