Reidar Särestöniemi

Let's try to be early as there will likely be some queuing!

May 14, Protected content mark the centenary of Reidar Särestöniemi's birth.

The connection between Särestöniemi's works and nature is both tangible and spiritual. Observing the environment and being inspired by it is accompanied by an experience that reaches out towards a broader understanding of the connection between oneself and nature.
The views of Lapland, the description of the cycle of the year and the animal motifs in the works have filtered through Särestöniemi's experience and are partly also based on Sámi and Lappish beliefs. The artist described identifying with nature, merging with the fells and the reindeer, and transforming himself sometimes into a grouse, sometimes into a lynx. The connection to nature was introspection. The cycle of the year is strongly present in the works – through painting, the artist celebrated a short but intense period of light, foretold the change of seasons and reflected his own feelings.

In the Protected content , Särestöniemi increasingly took a stand on nature conservation issues, as a result of the industrialization plans for Lapland. The threat of damming the Ounasjoki River flowing next to Särestöni concretized his concern. As a public figure, he constantly expressed his support for the activities of the environmental movement.

Public introductions
in Finnish on Wed at 3 pm, Sat and Sun at 1 pm and 3 pm,
in Swedish on Sun at 12 pm
in English on the first Saturday of every month at 12 pm