Welcome to GAo ShAn, an exquisite Finnish decorative art gallery nestled in the charming district of Kruununhaka in the heart of historic downtown Helsinki. Steeped in the rich cultural tapestry of Finland, our gallery offers a unique and inviting ambiance, evoking the warmth of a traditional Finnish home.

At GAo ShAn, our focus is on celebrating illustrious Finnish art and design. Our curated collection showcases Finnish creative brilliance from creators in the past and the present. We specialize in an array of contemporary jewelry and interior art and design objects. With a discerning eye for quality and innovation, our curated selection transcends functionality into the realm of artistry.

Central to our offering is Finnish contemporary art and design jewelry, an embodiment of elegance ranging from the timeless allure of Mid-Century Modern to the cutting-edge trends of today. This artistic journey is at the very core of GAo ShAn's identity.

Beyond being a gallery, we curate experiences. Our meticulously designed exhibitions are a testament to our commitment to showcasing art. We proudly represent talented artists, providing a platform for their visions to flourish. At GAo ShAn, we open doors to a realm where art enthusiasts and collectors can acquire pieces that resonate with sophistication and originality, all within a setting that exudes comfort and refinement.

Immerse yourself in the world of decorative art under our hospitable roof in the heart of Helsinki at gallery GAo ShAn.

History of our home

From church photos to a haven of art and design

Snellmaninkatu, known as Nikolainkatu until 1928, is one of the oldest streets in central Helsinki and leads to the Senate Square. The building at Snellmaninkatu 15 was originally drawn by Finnish architect Axel Hampus Dahlström in 1861. His better known works followed some years later, including Kappeli restaurant (1867) and Vanha ylioppilastalo (The Old Student House) in 1870.

At Snellmaninkatu 15, building master Richard Willman renewed and heightened the original two storey building in 1907. The resulting four to five storey building is the one you see today. Gallery GAo ShAn is located on the street level in the old part of the building that used to house a pharmacy in the 1860s.

Kruununhaka is an architecturally impressive part of downtown Helsinki. It is home to Empire-style buildings around the iconic Helsinki Cathedral as well as many important public buildings.

In 1937, the current owner’s grandfather bought the space and established a photography store that specialised in Finnish churches. At the store, the staff hand-coloured pictures of around 400 photographed Finnish churches. The framed pictures were sold around Finland to paying customers.

In the 1960s, an art gallery was set up in the space by well known Finnish art dealer Jaakko Viljakainen. Or Jaska, as he insisted on being called by his nickname. The walls of the space were adorned by works from well-known names of the golden age of Finnish art. They included Hugo Simberg, Helene Schjerfbeck and Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

We are proud to bring Finnish art and design into Snellmaninkatu 15 to be experienced by people from near and far. We are keen to welcome visitors to our historic space! We enliven our new nest with curated exhibitions and events that feature outstanding Finnish artists.