JYVÄSKYLÄ .- COLOUR is an ambitious exhibition that illuminates the central role of colour in Finnish modern art. Abstract paintings and sculptures from Central Finland’s collections are presented across two venues – Jyväskylä Art Museum and the Museum of Central Finland.

COLOUR – Highlights from the Art Collections of Central Finland explores the role of colour in modern art through works that celebrate the legacy of concretism, colourism, and informalism. Curated by Jyväskylä Art Museum in collaboration with the Saarijärvi and Keuruu Museum, the exhibition offers new perspectives on the regional collections through a selection of works curated to highlight their diverse facets and to complement both one another and the unique character of the venues.

“The exhibition highlights the pivotal role of colour in Central Finnish art. Spanning two museums, this comprehensive presentation also underscores the importance of colour for the entire region”, says Senior Curator Tiina Koivulahti.

The exhibition focuses particularly on colourist and concretist art from Central Finland. The featured works treat colour both as a structural and emotional force – a means to construct space, rhythm, and meaning. The show also draws attention to the Informalist movement and its impact on artists of the region, featuring numerous works seldom seen in public exhibitions.

At its artistic and historical core lies the influence of Sam Vanni, whose work and teaching profoundly shaped the emergence of Finnish concretism and colourism. His legacy is evident in the featured artists’ explorations of colour and form – where thought and emotion merge into a cohesive visual experience. Among the exhibited pieces are Vanni’s Alpha II (1959), Union (1956), and Tribute to Prokofiev (1954).

Other key figures represented include internationally recognised artists Göran Augustson, Birger Carlstedt, Ernst Mether-Borgström, and Edgard Pillet, whose pioneering contributions to abstract art left a lasting mark on Finnish modernism and inspired many artists in Central Finland.

COLOUR continues a series of collaborative exhibitions showcasing the art collections of regional museums in Central Finland, held every five years since 2015.

Featured Artists Include: Veikko Koskinen, Raimo Paavola, Juhani Petäjäniemi, Veikko Hirvimäki, Eila Kinnunen, Jo Niemeyer, Jaakko Valo, Ilkka Väätti, Anna-Liisa Aho, Anita Dahl-Kreuger, Harald Karsten, Pertti Karjalainen, Lauri Laine, Liisa Malkamo, and many others.

Exhibition Venues and Collaboration

The exhibition is a joint initiative of the Museum of Central Finland and Keuruu Museum, with content curated by Jyväskylä Art Museum. Both venues emphasise a different aspect of the theme, reflecting both the diversity of the collections and the distinctive qualities of the exhibition spaces.

"At the Museum of Central Finland, the art space within the Aalto2 Museum Centre provides a spacious, minimalist setting ideally suited for displaying large-scale works. The architecture enhances the interplay of colour and form, offering visitors a dynamic and engaging visual experience", explains Senior Curator Tiina Koivulahti.

The collaboration with Saarijärvi Museum focuses on the loan of key artworks that enrich the exhibition’s scope and reinforce its regional perspective. These loans enable the presentation of rarely seen works to a wider audience, while also highlighting Saarijärvi Museum’s essential role in preserving the artistic heritage of Central Finland.

COLOUR – Highlights from the Art Collections of Central Finland
24 January 2026 – 26 April 2026