Suojellen : Juuret / Elämänlanka: kirjonta

The Protected exhibition presents three artists who explore the theme of protection and conservation from the perspectives of craft traditions, cultural heritage and nature protection. Protection Dolls and blanket embroideries with hand-dyed wool yarns are displayed in the café Navettagalleria.

The Future biotopes, the blanket embroidery by Elina Härkönen, displays the richness of species evolved through traditional farming in Lapland. Due to changes in our ways of living and the condition of overgrown meadow fields, the species on the frame are in danger of extinction in nature. The embroideries by Härkönen and Huhmarniemi are part of Embroidered Stances art collective.

Huhmarniemi's Roots embroidery depicts a tree and the crafting tradition as an experience of rootedness. The work expresses the experience of ancestral presence. The Thread of Life embroidery theme is the so-called rose net, one of the most common decorative motifs on Finnish spinning wheels, devices used for spinning thread. A similar image is found in many cultures worldwide and is nowadays known as the symbol of the flower of life. Too little space left for hazard pictograms from the series Hannukainen mining plan represents the nature of Lapland in an area where the Hannukaisen iron ore mine project plan is overshadowing the clean nature of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Minna Kovero realised the community art piece “I protect…” with the participants of the Protection Doll workshop in Äkäslompolo. The dolls carry words on their arms about things to be protected. Meditative images of protection are tied with scented woollen thread into the hearts of the dolls. This work is based on the previous activities of the Äkäslompolo Village Association, where protection dolls were made and sold to finance studies and statements critical of mining.

The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Art Äkäslompolo Association and the Wool Innovation project. The Art Äkäslompolo is an association that produces art projects in support of nature conservation in the North. The association promotes art that deepens the experience of nature, raises environmental issues, supports nature conservation and improves the conditions for artists to work. Art Äkäslompolo is supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the municipality of Kolari. The Wool Innovation project revitalises wool craft heritage, is implemented by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lapland and is funded by the European Union.