EMMA’s main exhibition of the spring, Experiments in Concretism, explores the various forms of concrete art by showcasing works by more than fifty artists from the 1950s to the present day. Selected from EMMA’s collections, the works highlight the formal variety of concretism and the skill with which artists employ materials, structures and colours. The L-G Nordström Foundation has supported the exhibition in a unique fashion by commissioning two works by artist Elina Autio (b. 1985) for inclusion in the exhibition and donating them to EMMA. 

“Support of the L-G Nordström Foundation is of major significance to the artist and the museum alike. The donation means we now have two stunning works by Elina Autio in our collection. They are a fine demonstration of the creativity with which contemporary art draws on the tradition of concretism,” says curator of the exhibition, EMMA’s Director Pilvi Kalhama. 

“Elina Autio’s works allow new versions of them to be created by varying the installation. It is wonderful to have them in our collection so that we can show them in new contexts in the future as well,” says Henna Paunu, curator of the exhibition and Chief Curator at EMMA. 

“Collaboration with the museum and the artist has been an extremely positive experience for us. The commission is in line with the Foundation’s objectives, and I believe we will see more projects like this in the future,” says Mauri Niemi, Director of the L-G Nordström Foundation. 

Experiments in Concretism will open to the public on Wednesday, 6 March 2024. The artist will talk about her practice at EMMA Talks event (in Finnish) on 5 March 2024 at 5pm.