At Market Art Fair 2020 Helsinki Contemporary presents a curated booth of Anna Retulainen and Roland Persson’s new works.
Retulainen and Persson both work with a renewal of the still life tradition. Retulainen’s new work has its starting point in her garden, and more specifically a tree, which the artist paints from memory. The powerful and intense works are recollections of places that are important to the artist and they are emotionally charged.
Persson’s quirky, and poetic silicone sculptures comment the still life tradition very directly. Working with found objects is typical for Persson, the subject for a sculpture can be anything from freshly cut flowers, a cactus, an old chair, vases or even a taxidermy elephant.
Both artists have a sharp eye and find observations in their surroundings to build upon. The richness in details is remarkable. Colour is important in both of their processes. Persson adds the colours into the silicone in the casting process. Retulainen’s signature rich colours are at the essence of her oeuvre.