Kaarina Kaikkonen
Finland
Bio
Born in Iisalmi, Finland in 1952, Kaarina Kaikkonen studied at Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts between 1978 and 1983. Thanks to her work in sculpture and installations, she has become one of the leading artists of Finnish art.
Growing Connections was installed at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden as a site-specific installation during the Vancouver Biennale’s 2009-2011 exhibition.
Working in unusual spaces both inside and outdoors, Kaikkonen creates in situ by assembling recycled clothing in new configurations. While suggesting their human shape and former use, the garments transcend their earlier function as fashion or protection. Re-imagined and collectively shaped by the artist as an abstract form, Kaikkonen’s floating and hung cloth forms give new life to the threadbare. The shapes, textures, and colours–of pieces from numerous lives–come together to form a coherent collective sculptural form.
Kaikkonen lives and works in Helsinki.
Education Program Material
About Artist and Artwork (PDF)
Photo Credit
Dan Fairchild Photography
