SCULPTURES – Reijo Paavilainen

MEDIA RELEASE

REIJO PAAVILAINEN
Sculptures Exhibition at the Pori Art Museum, November 9–December 15, 1996

Sculptor Reijo Paavilainen’s career has been shaped by public commissions. Paavilainen, who has gained wide, international recognition, has regularly placed among the top competitors in our design competitions for nearly two decades – currently, nearly fifty times. Paavilainen is known for designing both public sculptures and medals and commemorative coins. As a sculptor, he is perhaps best remembered for the art competition for the President of the Republic’s official residence, Mäntyniemi, in 1988. Paavilainen won first prize in this highly publicized competition and was tasked with carrying out the project. The wall sculpture “Lemminkäinen’s Journeys” was completed in 1993 for the building designed by Raili and Reima Pietilä.

As a designer of medals and coins, Reijo Paavilainen is remembered for the Kalevala commemorative coin, the War Invalids’ commemorative coin, and the European Athletics Championships 94 commemorative coin, all of which have won several first prizes, including at the prestigious American Krause Publications’ Coin of the Year competition.

Reijo Paavilainen’s career as an artist has been determined by commissioned work. He has presented his free sculptural works in national group exhibitions but has held solo exhibitions only rarely. The exhibition opening at the Pori Art Museum on Saturday, November 9, will showcase Paavilainen’s latest sculptural work. All the pieces in the exhibition were created specifically for this exhibition and were made in the artist’s studio in Reposaari during 1996. Additionally, selections of Paavilainen’s painting works, mostly from the 1970s and 1980s, will be displayed in the exhibition space in the lobby and café.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Pori Art Museum will publish a 136-page book that offers a broader view of Reijo Paavilainen’s art, looking at his career development as a sculptor, painter, and designer of medals and commemorative coins. The publication also includes a 12-minute video documenting the creation process of the sculptures, introducing the background of the works as well as the artist’s thoughts on his work and the broader purpose of art.

The Reijo Paavilainen exhibition and the publication of the exhibition book have been made possible through the support of the following partners and sponsors: Helsingin Sanomat Oy, Loimaan Kivi Oy, Outokumpu Poricopper Oy, Rahapaja Oy, Sporrong Oy, UPM Kymmenen / Schauman Wood Oy.

Publication:

ISBN 951-9355-53-7
Reijo Paavilainen: Kuvanveistäjä
Pori Art Museum 9.11.-15.12.1996
Editor: Esko Nummelin
Esko Nummelin – FL, researcher, Pori Art Museum, Leena Passi – PhD, museum director, Photographs by Erkki Valli-Jaakola, Pori Art Museum, Tarja Leppänen, Pori Art Museum, Reijo Paavilainen, p. 68, 90, 106, 129, Esa Urhonen, p. 31, 44, 66, Sakari Viika, p. 75, Artist’s photo archive: p. 13, 127, Finnish Sculptors’ Association archive, p. 80, Esa Urhonen, p. 31, 44, 66, Sakari Viika, p. 75, Artist’s photo archive: p. 13, 127, Finnish Sculptors’ Association archive, p. 80, The Finnish Sculptors’ Association archive, p. 80.
Lay-out: Esko Nummelin
© 1996 Pori Art Museum, authors and photographers
Painohäme Oy, Ylöjärvi 1996
Pori Art Museum Publications 35 / Pori Art Museum Publications 35
Length: 136 p