Hannu Karjalainen / Portraits
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 - Wed, 31 Mar 2010
Venue: Phoenix Cube
This exhibition features three works by Finnish artist Hannu Karjalainen: 'Man in a Blue Shirt', 'Girl in a Red Sweater' and 'Woman with Blonde Hair'.
Karjalainen's work shows a fascination with the portrait. The very notion of the portrait, be it a painting, photograph or video, promises the viewer a glimpse into someone's persona, even their soul. A successful portrait is often considered to have captured something essential about its subject.
Karjalainen's films are portraits remarkable for the near absence of the subject. They unfold with a logic that bears little resemblance to that of everyday life. The subject's stories are read in their bodies, their gestures, in the textures and in the details.
Produced by Picture This and commissioned by Picture This, Watershed and Spike Island. Supported by Arts Council of Finland, AVEK, Creative Bristol and
The Finnish Institute, London.
