EXPLORATIONS: Collection Lars Göran Johnsson 24 Jan-17 May 2020

Turku Art Museum 24 January – 17 May 2020

Press preview: Thursday 23 January 2020 at 11 am at Turku Art Museum (Aurakatu 26, Turku). The exhibition will be presented by art collector Lars Göran Johnsson and museum director Kari Immonen.
Opening: Thursday 23 January at 6-8 pm. Welcome!

Explorations showcases the collection of more than 500 works of art donated to the Turku Art Museum by doctor of medicine and surgery Lars Göran Johnsson (b. 1930, Tampere). Divided into thematic sections that express the character of the collection, the exceptionally large exhibition fills both floors of the museum and features modernist classics and top names of contemporary art.

A bold and multifaceted whole that bears the mark of its creator, the collection reflects Johnsson’s life and his interest in current events and trends. Although Johnsson made his first art purchases in the early 1950s, he did not identify as a collector until the past ten years or so. His art acquisitions are motivated and steered, above all, by aesthetic enjoyment. Non-figurative art, and concretism especially in all its forms, has been close to Johnsson’s heart through the decades. Matti Kujasalo, one of the lodestars of the collection, has been joined by such names as Swedish artist Jesper Nyrén and American classic Harvey Quaytman.

This exhibition also includes work by prominent Finnish artists such as Birger Carlstedt, Juhani Harri, Greta Hällfors-Sipilä, Ismo Kajander, Olli Lyytikäinen and Silja Rantanen. The Nordic perspective is represented by Olle Bærtling, Jens Fänge and Frida Orupabo, among others. Since the turn of the millennium, Johnsson’s acquisitions have focused heavily on the work of young expressionists, which provides an interesting contrast to the otherwise restrained character of the rest of the collection. This side of the collection is represented, among others, by Johanna Ehrnrooth, Jukka Korkeila, Elina Merenmies, Anna Retulainen, Jyrki Riekki and Janne Räisänen.

Having always been interested in the art of transitional periods, Johnsson has lately extended his scope to include contemporary photography and sculpture as well. Of Finnish photographers, Ulla Jokisalo and Esko Männikkö are well represented in the collection, and the most recent acquisitions include architectural images by American photographer Grey Crawford. Johnsson’s passion for art history and architecture is evident also in many works acquired in other periods of his career as collector.

Donated to the Turku Art Museum in 2016, the Lars Göran Johnsson Collection is one of the most prestigious still-growing private collections in Finland. While further strengthening the existing focus on Nordic art in the Turku Art Museum collection, the extensive donation also opens up new perspectives on American and Central European art. Although the current exhibition showcases more than 150 works, most of the extensive donation awaits future shows at the museum.

For further information
museum director Kari Immonen
tel. +358 2 2627 099 / + 358 44 312 2256
kari.immonen@turuntaidemuseo.fi