HAM presents Leena Luostarinen at her artistic peak

Leena Luostarinen (1949–2013) ranks among the most influential pioneers of Finnish painting. Although her art achieved widespread acclaim, she often described herself as an outsider – a misfit. Her longing for distant lands took her on far-flung journeys, echoes of which can be seen in her paintings in the form of recurring feline motifs, sphinxes, snakes, flowers, and exotic rock formations.

Luostarinen rose to prominence in the early 1980s, when the Finnish art scene was revitalised by a new wave of emerging painters, notably a rising generation of young women artists. Her vibrant palette, command of monumental scale, and immediately recognisable visual language rapidly propelled her to fame, establishing her as one of the most prominent painters of her generation.

HAM’s exhibition focuses on Luostarinen’s work from the 1980s and 1990s, the most significant period of her career. The HAM Collection holds several key works from this period, and they are now being displayed together for the first time. Some are so enormous that bringing them together in a single exhibition is an exceptional feat. The exhibition also features a selection of works on loan from Finnish and international collections.

The exhibition takes its title from the 1982 painting Misfit, in which the artist depicted herself as a leopard. The title seems to capture something essential about her life and art – the desire to carve out her own path and elude established definitions.

“In her paintings, Leena Luostarinen created her own visual world at a time when Finnish art was rapidly becoming exposed to new international influences. Her works are at once compelling, poetic, and difficult to define. This is the first time that the paintings in HAM’s collection will be presented together as a cohesive ensemble,” say the exhibition’s curators, Satu Metsola and Vilma Roine.

The exhibition coincides with the publication of a new book about Leena Luostarinen’s art, published in collaboration with Parvs. The publication delves deeper into the themes explored in the exhibition and examines Luostarinen’s lasting significance as a figure who reshaped Finnish painting.

Leena Luostarinen – Misfit also celebrates the 50th anniversary of HAM Helsinki Art Museum. Five decades have passed since the museum opened to the public in its newly completed building in Meilahti. That same year, the City of Helsinki took ownership of a collection bequeathed by Leonard and Katarina Bäcksbacka, which formed the core of the City Art Collection. To celebrate this milestone year, HAM will offer free admission on the last Friday of November.

The exhibition brings together a total of 48 works by Leena Luostarinen. Thirty works from HAM’s collection will be on display, alongside 18 works on loan. Also on display will be 25 sketches, sketchbooks, and other artefacts.

The works on loan have been kindly provided by private collectors, Aboa Vetus Ars Nova, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Joensuu Art Museum, the Finnish National Gallery, Lappeenranta Museums, the Miettinen Collection, Moderna Museet, Oulu Art Museum, the Sara Hildén Art Museum, and the Tiftö Foundation.

The exhibition is curated by HAM’s resident curator Satu Metsola and HAM’s registrar Vilma Roine.

The exhibition design is by Aalto+Aalto.

Media invitation

Members of the media are warmly invited to preview two exhibitions opening simultaneously in HAM’s grand ached halls: Leena Luostarinen – Misfit and Emma Talbot: You Are Not the Centre on Thursday, 8 October, from 10 to 11 am.

Venue: HAM Helsinki Art Museum, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, Helsinki

RSVP by Tuesday, 6 October, 2:00 pm: anna.vihanta@hamhelsinki.fi