Teemu Saukkonen: Moments of Life

The theme and initial impetus of the exhibition has been developed over several years. The genesis of the paintings was inspired by Teemu Saukkonen’s regular trips to Southeast Asia where he observed in over a decade, how different the attitude towards animals as food, such as for dogs and birds, is from here.

The content of the paintings balances their meaning on the “knife’s edge” as the animals processed by humans depict not only suffering and the end of life, but also their meaning as food. The animate beings in Saukkonen’s works symbolize renunciation and innocence, as well as human power and alienation from nature.

The paintings’ unapologetic realism and straight brushstrokes convey a mysterious threat – but also hope. By the delicate usage of color, the animals are almost painted “alive” and their exaggerated size is used as an advocate to respect every living creature. Spiced with black humor throughout all the artworks, the displayed (sur)rational tragedy is compassion, and it is up to the spectator him-/herself to decide how to complement the narratives of the paintings in this Moments of Life exhibition.
 

Forum Box

8.9.–1.10.2023

Tue-Sun 12.00–17.00

Free entry