Paintings from Finland

STEVE SALO

Paintings from Finland (2017)

Paintings inspired by an Autumn artist residency in Hämeenkyrö, Finland. The region is traditional Finnish countryside with beautiful landscapes, forests and hundreds of lakes.

Embassy of Finland in Australia
27 November 2017 – 31 January 2018 (extended to 23 March)

12 Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla
Canberra ACT
Mon-Thurs 9:30 am-12:30 pm and 1-5 pm, Fri 9:30 am-12:30 pm and 1-2:30 pm

This exhibition is part of the program for the Suomi Finland 100 centenary of independence.

Gentle Lake

Steve Salo, ‘Gentle Lake’, oil on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Haukijärvi

Steve Salo, ‘Haukijärvi’,watercolour on paper, 30 x 40 cm

Tampere

Steve Salo, ‘Tampere’, watercolour on paper, 30 x 40 cm

Man in a Boat

Steve Salo, ‘Man in a Boat’, oil on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Into the Woods

Steve Salo, ‘Into the Woods’, watercolour and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Lakeside

Steve Salo, ‘Lakeside’, watercolour and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Lake View

Steve Salo, ‘Lake View, acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

In September 2017 I travelled to Finland for a one-month artist residency at the Arteles Creative Centre in Haukijärvi to develop a series of expressionist paintings inspired by the Finnish landscape. During the residency, I sketched and painted in situ in the forest and by lakes, and in my studio from memory and photos. I completed the series back in my home studio, then drove the paintings 10 hours around the coast and inland to Canberra for a show at the Embassy of Finland. The opening was a memorable night, I was interviewed by the Ambassador of Finland Lars Backström and had a great time chatting about the works and Finland with the Finnish community.

First day in Finland and there’s an easel and paints in the foyer of the Sokos Hotel in Kokkola. Reentry to the comfort zone.

Studio in the timber house, lake on one side of the building, forest on the other

Some days were just for research!

Afternoon Light – Helsinki

Steve Salo, Afternoon Light – Helsinki, watercolour on canvas, 80 x 80 cm
Finalist Splash McClelland Contemporary Watercolour Award 2018

‘Afternoon Light – Helsinki’ is a response to an enigmatic atmosphere, an attempt to create mystery in a cityscape painting. The low-key muted palette reflects the sense of deeper mood, this place is genuine and non-pompous. Prior to visiting Helsinki, I’d spent a month in the Finnish countryside experiencing ancient forests and moody lakes, I carried the feeling of being in these places into the urban environment in my choice of composition, colour and tone. The figures in the cityscape mirror the gentle presence of the Finnish people on their environment and as individuals.

Always experimenting.