Annika von Hausswolff

Annika von Hausswolff (b. 1967) has been on the forefront in making photography as one of the most influential media in contemporary art. Turku Art Museum is proud to present a comprehensive whole of Annika von Hausswolff's production spanning three decades. All displayed works – which the artist has selected for the exhibition – are from the collection of Magasin 3 Stockholm Kunsthalle. The exhibition is von Hausswolff's first major museum scale show in Finland.

Annika von Hausswolff attracted attention in the 1990's with her staged works bordering on documentary photography. Already in the series Back to Nature (1993) she em-ployed the stylistic and contentual elements that would later define her production. The motifs of loneliness, frustration and melancholy link her art to the tradition of surrealism. In von Hausswolff's works the viewer finds herself in an almost dreamlike setting where common situations and events transform into something irrational and unreal. Although the motifs and depicted objects belong to everyday her works convey a somewhat disturbing message. Something is amiss.

The art of von Hausswolff touches the questions about corporeality, gender and domina-tion. Hiding and revealing are also frequently recurring themes in her works which are manifest in the often used harsh flashlight and richly draped curtains. One dominant fea-ture in her oeuvre is human body. The personage we encounter do not seek contact. Quite the opposite. Their backs are turned and eyes closed. They are physically present but constantly unattainable.

A richly illustrated catalogue "ICH BIN DIE ECKE ALLER RÄUME" produced by Magasin 3 is available throughout the exhibition period.

Annika von Hausswolff