'Tove Jansson: Paradise' at the Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) is the first exhibition to collectively showcase Jansson’s public paintings. Although Jansson, who passed away in 2001, is most famous for the Moomins, this exhibition in Finland’s capital reorients the focus to provide a thorough overview of the murals she created on commission during the 1940s and 1950s, primarily in her hometown of Helsinki. This spotlight on her lesser-known contributions to the mural genre includes works of varying scales, from small decorative pieces to monumental frescoes. Notably, six large charcoal drawings, discovered in Jansson’s studio and never before exhibited, offer a unique glimpse into her creative process.
Most of Jansson’s public murals were created during the post-war reconstruction era, a period when her imaginative worlds provided a much-needed escape from the trauma of war. These murals are primarily found in spaces designed for children, such as a kindergarten and an elementary school, taking viewers back to a time before the global rise of the Moomins, which, until the 1990s, were only widely recognized among Finland’s Swedish-speaking population. For instance, 'The Moomins and the Great Flood' was not translated into Finnish until 1991.
While the exhibition emphasizes her work before 'Moominmania' fully took hold, the beloved characters do appear in many of the murals: look closely. Additional insights into Jansson’s inner world are provided through a selection of works from HAM’s Leonard and Katarina Bäcksbacka Collection, along with photographs, videos, and a recently completed documentary focusing on her altarpiece at Teuva Church.
'Tove Jansson: Paradise' will be on display at the Helsinki Art Museum until 6 April 2025.
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