Alpo Jaakola
(FIN)
Stalke Galleri
Admiralgade 22, Copenhagen
27.11 to 16.12 1987
ALPO JAAKOLA
Alpo Jaakola debuted as an artist in 1951 and had his breakthrough in 1963. Since then, interest in his art in Finland has steadily grown. In 1985, he was awarded the title of honorary professor by the President of Finland.
In a Finnish text about the artist, it is stated, among other things: "Alpo Jaakola is an artist who lives in his fantasies and tells of these in his paintings. His works often resemble dream images both in atmosphere and subject matter. Humanity and nature are his inspiration and play a significant role in his painting. He has traits of a thinker, a seeker, and a mystic, but also of a lyricist, letting his works speak with emotional intensity."
The dark color palette and macabre mood characterized Alpo Jaakola's paintings in the 1950s, with titles that often suggested or created a striking contrast.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Jaakola's dark palette was transformed into something glowing and colorful. The surrealist forms were filled with detailed richness. Using the power of colors, shapes, and materials, he brought an adventurous movement into his depiction of reality and magic.
In the 1980s, primitivism became an increasingly central point in his art. In recent years, his work has been a field of exciting experimentation and activities in entirely new areas.
When Finnish journalist Kirsti Takalo-Eskola interviewed Alpo Jaakola in February 1963 during his exhibition in Turku and asked where he would most like to exhibit, he surprisingly replied: "In Denmark." He explained that although he had never been to Denmark, he imagined it must resemble his birthplace, Loimaa – just as flat..
.
This wish is now being fulfilled – 25 years after he expressed it – with the exhibition at the Stalke Gallery. It is also Alpo Jaakola's first exhibition outside Finland.
Alpo Jaakola is represented in a number of Finnish art museums and collections, including the Amos Anderson Art Museum and the Ateneum.
Installation view showing two expressionist paintings by Alpo Jaakola from his 1987 exhibition at Stalke Galleri, Copenhagen.