Exhibition

American Craft House Journey

Dates

15 August – 5 October 2024

Location

Gallery GAo ShAn

Snellmaninkatu 15
00170 Helsinki
Finland

The exhibition "American Craft House Journey" at Gallery GAo ShAn offers a rare opportunity to explore the vibrant world of contemporary American decorative arts. Featuring the works of six contemporary American artists—Arielle Brackett, Christine Clark, Kelly Dzioba, Luci Jockel, Nash Quinn, and Mallory Weston—this exhibition presents an array of mobile sculptures, contemporary jewelry, and textile art. Innovative approaches and exceptional craftsmanship define the works.

We are not aware of any previous American contemporary jewelry and craft exhibitions hosted in Finland. Historically, Finland and the United States have enjoyed strong connections in the fields of decorative art, design, and industrial design, primarily through the export of Finnish art to the U.S., particularly during the Mid-Century Modern era. This rich history lays fertile ground for introducing American contemporary jewelry to Finnish audiences.

In Finland, the decade starting from 1950 marked the period of abstract modernism in Finnish visual arts. The 1960s saw a restructuring of Finnish design, with many jewelry makers breaking away from tradition and using completely new materials and forms. The global economic recession and oil crisis of the 1970s caused material shortages, leading to a renewed focus on craftsmanship. Discussions about the essence and meaning of jewelry gained new dimensions as jewelry began to be considered alongside visual arts such as design, craftsmanship, and applications, thereby weakening its traditional ties to material, content, and functionality. Experimental jewelry started gaining attention in Finland in the 1980s.

Finnish art has evolved through significant cultural exchanges. American exhibitions, such as the North American Goldsmiths Society's show at the Finnish Applied Arts Museum and the impactful visit of Helen W. Drutt's collection, have historically enriched Finnish jewelry art. These connections set the background for further cultural dialogue, especially as Finland's contemporary art jewelry scene, which only began in the 1990s, continues to develop.

The "American Craft House Journey" aims to introduce Finnish audiences to the diverse and dynamic world of contemporary American craft. Visitors are invited to engage with the transformative power of craft, celebrating both the unique and shared elements of Finnish and American decorative arts.