Back in Finland

24 June 2016

I excitedly headed back to Finland for the Artists Residency Weekend.

Back in Finland
The week had started with a visit from Albert Oehlen, his lovely wife Esther and Julie Sylvester.
Back in Finland
We had a wonderful time and Albert very happily installed his works in the art barn. ‘1000 dances (tree)’ downstairs and this ‘Untitled (Baum 31)’ looked stunning, Lizzie had created an exemplary installation and we were all in awe. The weather was also beautiful outside and made everything even more magical.
Back in Finland
Per Kirkeby’s work looked extraordinary.
Back in Finland
Then the artists arrived ready for the residency. Matt Connors, Ellen Altfest, Donna Huanca and Michael Fullerton making use of the Franz West.
Back in Finland
Michael Fullerton and Rachel Champion enjoying our casual talks with Donna Lynas from Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridge.
Back in Finland
Rachael Champion gave us a wonderful introduction to her future art installation due to be completed by the end of the summer.
Back in Finland
Sam Falls also came back, leaving behind Erin and their lovely new baby. We all rejoiced in his wonderful new installation in the boat house. He gave a lovely talk and then headed back to chill at the house with Lizzie.
Back in Finland
Yana Peel took up a temporary desk position in the forest to get ready for her new job at the Serpentine.
Back in Finland
There were great, meaningful conversations all around. Iwan Wirth relaxing on the round social bench by Jeppe Hein and joined by Dimitris Daskalopoulos.
Back in Finland
Lunchtime with Matt Connors, Ellen Altfest, her muse Rob and Donna Huanca all getting to know each other and enjoying the Finnish sunshine alongside David Risley.
Back in Finland
Lizzie and Keith Tyson having a dreamy conversation in the shade of the forest.
Back in Finland
A peak at Keith’s work 'Large Field Array' from 2006 and I am face to face with Donald Trump sat atop his wedding cake. I wondered what this coincidental meeting meant, penny for Keith’s thoughts now and then?
Back in Finland
We headed off to Helsinki where Keith got to see his ‘Studio Wall Drawing – Hexcell Chain Crawler.’ We had the ‘Hexcell Continuum Crawler’ on display last year in our 20 Years exhibition at the Zabludowicz Collection in London. The drawing works looked wonderful.
Back in Finland
Paul Hedges checking out Ernesto Neto’s fantastic installation at KIASMA.
Back in Finland
Lizzie, Juhani and designer Aleksi Kuokka had pulled together our collection of glass and furniture to create a stunning display.
Back in Finland
Some of the glass complimented by a Secundino Hernandez painting.
Back in Finland
The Zab. team had created two amazing books explaining about the Collection in Sarvisalo and the mammoth 'Large Field Array.'
Back in Finland
We then arrived at the Helsinki Art Museum which was so interesting and full of fabulous Finnish art. Tove Jansson, the writer and illustrator of the Moomins, amongst many other things. Spot the hidden Moomin.
Back in Finland
This Jarmo Mäkilä was a cross between Christopher Orr and Neo Rauch.
Back in Finland
Then it was time to say goodbye to everyone and head home via Manifesta, the Berlin Biennale and the wonderful Cecily Brown at Thomas Dane Gallery, London