The Old Town Hall, located on the edge of Turku's historic Old Great Square, would have many stories to tell. Today, however, it's the artists that get to share their stories in the rooms of the building.
The Old Town Hall, located on the edge of Turku's historic Old Great Square, would have many stories to tell. Today, however, it's the artists that get to share their stories in the rooms of the building.
Established in 2019, Kunsthalle Turku is an art hall and home to Turku Artists' Association's Iso Gallery, Photographic Centre Peri's exhibition facilities and library, as well as Turku Artoteque, which specialises in art rental.
Located on the first floor is Turku Artoteque, whose walls are covered by an ever-changing exhibition highlighting the Artoteque's collection. Up the stairs, you can find the studio and Iso Gallery of Peri. If you peer through the windows, you can see a picturesque view of the Old Great Square and the listed buildings in the area. Here, contemporary art and history tell a fascinating and layered story. A cluster of other galleries and exhibition spaces is also located a stone's throw away from the art hall, making it easy to embark on a diverse exhibition tour in the Old Town of Turku.
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Iso Gallery presents the works of local artists and those connected to Turku. In spring, it also lends its exhibition facilities for visual artists graduating from the Turku Arts Academy.
Photographic Centre Peri in turn wants to highlight less-known topics in the Finnish art field. The Centre also stretches the definition of 'photograph' by showcasing not only traditional photographs but also other art made with a camera.
Despite being a hall, the milieu oozes intimacy and the enigmatic atmosphere of a bygone era. Previously, the building has housed a Juselius shirt factory and even a police department. This is where you can let your imagination fly!
Today, the aim of Kunstalle Turku is to bring together different actors in visual arts. Like a market hall where you can pick different delicacies, the art hall allows you to enjoy a diverse range of fine art, sculpture and photography under one roof.
And if you want to find new art for your home, the staff at Turku Artoteque are happy the help! Their selection includes a couple of hundred works, including paintings, drawings, graphics, sculptures and photographs by local artists, which can be rented or bought. You can explore the selection in advance on the Turku Artoteque (Turun Taidelainaamo) website.
TEXT: HEIDI HORILA
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