MAIRE GULLICHSEN COMMEMORATIVE EXHIBITION: VISUAL ARTS, CRAFTS, ARCHITECTURE

The summer celebration exhibition at Pori Art Museum highlights the groundbreaking contributions of Professor Maire Gullichsen (1907–1990) to Finland’s cultural life. Maire Gullichsen played a pivotal role as a founding member and driving force behind numerous initiatives, including the Free Art School, Artek, Nykytaide r.y., and Noormarkku Handicrafts. She is renowned as a pioneer of modern art and culture, a patron of the arts, and a collector. The exhibition showcases key works from the art collection that bears her name and, for the first time, explores her artistic career, including her glass designs and paintings.

From the 1930s onward, Maire Gullichsen played a central role in introducing non-figurative art to Finland. Her strong foundation in modern art was shaped by her studies in Paris, notably under Fernand Léger. This influence led to the founding of the Free Art School in 1935, which aimed to bring art education inspired by French free academies to Finland. It also inspired Galerie Artek, which became independent from Artek in the early 1950s. Galerie Artek immediately specialized in presenting both international and Finnish contemporary art. Under Maire Gullichsen’s direction, the gallery embraced non-figurative art, showcasing French-influenced abstract works alongside emerging Finnish concretism. The gallery was a radical innovator of its time.

Pori Art Museum itself emerged as a result of Maire Gullichsen’s vision. She donated her art collection to serve as the foundation of the museum. The museum opened in 1981 in a converted old customs warehouse designed by Kristian Gullichsen. Now, with the museum’s new expansion, the Wing, Maire Gullichsen’s life’s work is celebrated anew.

Maire Gullichsen was also a staunch advocate for high-quality Finnish architecture and design. Villa Mairea, considered one of the most significant private homes in the history of architecture, was built in close collaboration with Maire and Harry Gullichsen in 1938–39, based on plans by Alvar and Aino Aalto. In 1935, Artek was established as a furniture and design company and expanded to Pori in 1941. Noormarkku Handicrafts was founded in the early 1960s through the initiative of Maire Gullichsen and Bertel Gardberg. Its goal was to promote high-quality craftsmanship in the Satakunta region. The enterprise began with turned wooden utility objects designed by Bertel Gardberg, Birgitta Berg, and Nanny Still and later expanded to include rugs, furniture, and forged metal items.

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Publication:
ISBN 951-9355-65-0
Maire Gullichsen: Visual arts, crafts, architecture
Pori Art Museum 10.6.-5.11.2000
Editors: Esko Nummelin and Emilia Siltavuori
Authors:Erik Kruskopf, Kaisa Koivisto, Kirsi Leiman, Elina Melgin, Kaarina Mikonranta, Esko Nummelin, Riitta Ojanperä, Kristiina Paatero, Susanna Pettersson, Emilia Siltavuori, Pekka Suhonen.
John Arnold, Camilla Ahlström-Taavitsainen, Maija Kärkkäinen, Ylva Kosonen, Erik Rosendahl, Kaija Valkonen, Seppo Siuro.
Graphic design by Sami Kortemäki
Typeface: StoolSans (specially designed for this publication by Sami Kortemäki)
Paper: inside pages and covers: Lessebo Design Smooth Natural 150 g/m², front pages: Havana Cocoa 200 g/m².
Salpausselän Kirjapaino, Kukkila 2000/8760
Sponsor of the publication: Ahlström