Purnu briefly in English

Purnu Art Centre

The New Finnish Art exhibition runs annually from May to the end of August at Purnu Art Centre in Orivesi. The Purnu Art Centre was originally the summer home of sculptor Aimo Tukiainen. Tukiainen’s most famous work is the Mannerheim statue in Helsinki.

Purnu was once just a disused clay pit but fortunately the sculptor Aimo Tukiainen saw its potential as an artistic location.  When Purnu opened in 1967 it was the first summer exhibition location which existed solely for showing new Finnish art.  Aimo Tukiainen used to live with her family at Purnu, working happily there through the summers and over the years she gradually gathered a group of artists around her.  They included the graphic artist Tuulikki Pietila, who spent many summers at Purnu with her great friend Tove Jansson who is famous for creating the much-loved Moomins.  The public soon came to know and love Purnu – even President Kekkonen was a regular at the Purnu smoke sauna.

In addition to exploring the art exhibitions at Purnu you can relax at our child-friendly beach and enjoy the delights of the café or even experience a traditional Finnish smoke sauna. You can buy what you need from Purnu in order to prepare your own sizzling summer barbeques by the lakeside. Purnu Art Centre is easily accessible by car or bus and the surrounding countryside is an ideal area to explore by bicycle. You can even get to Purnu Art Centre by boat from as far Tampere and Hämeenlinna.

Art Exhibition 2011 – “Sijamuotoja”, curated by Timo Valjakka

Open by prior arrangement 21.5-4.9 and daily 12.6-14.8

This Summer, Purnu’s exhibition curator Timo Valjakka has gathered and displayed a wide range of contemporary Finnish art.  Being an active art critic, he has been able to select the best pieces from recent exhibitions and has also invited artists to Purnu to create installations and works of art specifically for the exhibition.  There is a fabulous array of things to see in different mediums – sculpture, paintings, photography, collages, installations; many of which are exhibited outside.  The light and airy architecture of the exhibition building and charming lakeside venue make Purnu a very unique place to exhibit and view art.  The exhibition is a commentary on the current state of Finnish art – how rich and instinctive it is and how evocative art can still be today.

Price List

• Entry ticket 10 euros per person
• Group ticket 8 euros per person (minimum group number 30)
• Pensioners, students, national service and unemployed 8 euros per person
• Free admission to children under 16
• Guided visit to Purnu Art Centre 40 euros, Sundays 60 euros

Buy Artwork
You can of course buy fine pieces of art from Purnu, either for your home or to bring life to corporate offices.  We also have an artisan gift shop next to the café, which is an ideal place to pick up some delightful and original souvenirs.  On Mondays we heat the smoke sauna, although it is available for private use on other days by prior arrangement.  The smoke sauna is an entirely different experience from a conventional sauna.

The summer calendar include also a sculpture and handicraft market day Suvi Design 16.-17.7.2011 (www.suvidesign.fi). 

You can also follow Purnu’s developments and the events diary on Facebook.

For more information and to make bookings please contact
Jari Nieminen
040 537 0995
varaukset(at)kaurakangas.fi

Contact Us

Address
Mustasaari 63
35100 Orivesi
Directions and map
Telephone 03 335 4323
Mobile 040 537 0995

Enquiries and bookings
By Email varaukset(at)kaurakangas.fi
By Phone 040 537 0995

Staff

• Elina Parjanen
  curator
  040 705 5358
  elina.parjanen(at)kaurakangas.fi
• Jari Nieminen
  producer
  040 537 0995
  jari.nieminen(at)kaurakangas.fi
• Mirja Tukiainen
  purnu(at)kaapeli.fi