Free 90
The Free Art School鈥檚 anniversary exhibition presents the school鈥檚 90-year history and its significance in the development of Finnish painting and modernism. From the school鈥檚 early days to the present, the exhibition highlights the connections between the artists and the special spirit that has run through the Free Art School throughout its nine decades.
The Free Art School was founded in 1935 on the initiative of art world influencer and patron Maire Gullichsen to offer an alternative to academic art education. Modelled after the 鈥渇ree academies鈥� of Paris, the Free Art School was a champion of modern painting in Finland from its very beginning. The school has evolved from concretism and pure abstract colour painting towards the diversity of contemporary painting.
The history of the Free Art School and the artists who studied and taught there are approached through Leonard and Katarina B盲cksbacka鈥檚 donated collection, which is the heart of HAM and the City of Helsinki鈥檚 art collection. In 1915, the B盲cksbackas established the art gallery Taidesalonki, which showcased the works of several artists involved in the Free Art School 鈥� artists whose works the couple also acquired for their collection.
The exhibition features 60 artworks by 39 artists.
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The Free Art School鈥檚 anniversary exhibition presents the school鈥檚 90-year history and its significance in the development of Finnish painting and modernism. From the school鈥檚 early days to the present, the exhibition highlights the connections between the artists and the special spirit that has run through the Free Art School throughout its nine decades.
The Free Art School was founded in 1935 on the initiative of art world influencer and patron Maire Gullichsen to offer an alternative to academic art education. Modelled after the 鈥渇ree academies鈥� of Paris, the Free Art School was a champion of modern painting in Finland from its very beginning. The school has evolved from concretism and pure abstract colour painting towards the diversity of contemporary painting.
The history of the Free Art School and the artists who studied and taught there are approached through Leonard and Katarina B盲cksbacka鈥檚 donated collection, which is the heart of HAM and the City of Helsinki鈥檚 art collection. In 1915, the B盲cksbackas established the art gallery Taidesalonki, which showcased the works of several artists involved in the Free Art School 鈥� artists whose works the couple also acquired for their collection.
The exhibition features 60 artworks by 39 artists.
Artists on show
- Anitra Lucander
- Auli Jarvela
- Carl Wargh
- Carolus Enckell
- Elga Sesemann
- Elina Merenmies
- Erik Creutziger
- Erkki Kulovesi
- Erkki Sakari Hienonen
- Ester Helenius
- Heinrich Ilmari Rautio
- Hjalmar Hagelstam
- Jani Hänninen
- Janne Räisänen
- Kauko Hamalainen
- Maire Gullichsen
- Mari Sunna
- Mikko Oinonen
- Ole Kandelin
- Outi Pienimäki
- Paavo Paunu
- Paivi Bjorkenheim
- Pekka Hepoluhta
- Pekka Ryynänen
- Per Stenius
- Rafael Wardi
- Reijo Viljanen
- Sam Vanni
- Sigrid Schauman
- Sulho Sipilä
- Thomas Nyqvist
- Timo Valjakka
- Tor Arne
- Torger Enckell
- Tove Jansson
- Unto Pusa
- William Lönnberg
- Yngve Bäck
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HAM鈥檚 2025 exhibitions and the major contemporary art event Helsinki Biennial will showcase non-human beings, painters through the decades, Tove Jansson鈥檚 monumental artworks.
HAM鈥檚 2025 exhibitions and the major contemporary art event Helsinki Biennial will showcase non-human beings.
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