Erkkola's exhibition Beyond Reality takes visitors into the world of fairy tales and imagination
On 19 February, an exhibition entitled Beyond Reality – Imaginary Worlds in Fairy Tale Illustrations will open in Erkkola. The exhibition features fairy tale-themed illustrations from the collections of the Amer Cultural Foundation and the Tuusula Art Museum. The works of illustrators from the early 20th century take the viewer far beyond the boundaries of everyday life. They reflect the values and aesthetics of their time, but also peopleu0026#x27;s longing for imaginary worlds.
The paper-based paintings and drawings on display have illustrated fairy tales and stories by authors such as Anni Swan, Raul Roine, Aili Somersalo, Arvid Lydecken and Zacharias Topelius, as well as the Joulupukki children’s magazines published by Valistus. The works feature dreamlike visions and take us on a journey to enchanted forests, underwater kingdoms and fairy-tale castles. The illustrations reflect the timeless themes of fairy tales: adventure, transformation and dreams of travelling to the unknown.
Of the artists featured in the exhibition, Rudolf Koivu (1890–1946) and Martta Wendelin (1893–1986) were among the most significant illustrators of their time, whose interpretations of fairy tales have become an integral part of Finnish cultural heritage. Koivu’s delicate use of line and rich imagination shaped the visual world of fairy tales. He also wrote fairy tales. Wendelin’s fairy tale illustrations are often warm-hearted and idyllic. Venny Soldan-Brofeldt (1863–1945), on the other hand, was a pioneer in children’s book illustration alongside his other artistic work, depicting the world of children with keen insight. Both Lauri Manninen (1915–2001) and Risto Mäkinen (1918–1972) had long careers as illustrators and brought their own recognisable styles to the visual narrative of fairy tales.
The exhibition highlights both iconic and lesser-known fairy tale illustrations. It provokes thoughts about the importance of imagination: why do we dream of distant lands and magical realities? What do fairy tale worlds tell us about ourselves and our times? The illustrations also invite viewers to complete the stories with their own imagination.
The exhibition Beyond Reality continues the work of the Tuusula Art Museum in promoting Finnish illustration art. The museum’s own illustration collection is complemented by the Amer Cultural Foundation’s extensive collection of original book and magazine illustrations, which is managed and exhibited by the Tuusula Art Museum. Together, the collections form a significant whole that tells the story of the history and development of Finnish illustration art.
Beyond Reality – Imaginary Worlds in Fairy Tale Illustrations
19 February–1 June 2025
Accompanying programme for the exhibition
Thu 20 Feb at 2 p.m. Guided tour of imaginary worlds for children and families
Thu 27 Feb at 2 p.m. Beyond Reality exhibition curator tour
Sat 22 March at 1pm and 3pm Fairy tale
tour Thu 3 April at 6pm Enchanted worlds in fairy tales and illustrations
Sat 12 April at 1pm and 3pm Fairy tale tour
See more details in the Tuusula event calendar.(opens in a new window, switch to another service)
Erkkola
Rantatie 25, Tuusula
www.erkkola.fi(opens in a new window, switch to another service)
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Open
19 February–30 April, Wednesday–Sunday 12 noon–5 p.m.
1 May–1 June, Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission
fees €8/€6/€0 Free
with Museum Card and Kaiku Card
This content has been translated using AI