Kaarina Kaikkonen

Finland

Bio

Kaarina Kaikkonen studied at the Academy of Fine Arts between 1978 and 1983. She has become one of the leading artists of Finnish art thanks to her work in sculpture and installations.

As with many of her other works, Growing Connections was installed at Van Dusen Botanical Garden as a site-specific installation. Working in unusual spaces both inside and outdoors, these in situ works are made by assembling recycled clothing in new configurations. The garments suggest their human shape and former use, now transcending their use 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 colors – of pieces from numerous lives come together to form a coherent collective sculptural form.

Growing Connections was one of the artwork installations by the 2009-2011 Vancouver Biennale.

 

Education Program Material

About Artist and Artwork (PDF)

 

Photo Credit

Dan Fairchild Photography

External Links

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