Critical Gallery: Paavo Paunu – Destination Moon

In September, the Critical Gallery dives into the painterly world of Paavo Paunu. Paavo Paunu will talk about his exhibition DESTINATION MOON at the Critical Gallery on three weekends, the first of which will be on Saturday 7 September 2024 from 2 pm to 3 pm.

PAAVO PAUNU: DESTINATION MOON
Paintings
30 Aug – 22 Sept 2024
Opening on Thur 29 Aug 2024 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

ARTIST’S TALKS: Paavo Paunu will talk about his exhibition DESTINATION MOON at the Critical Gallery on Saturday 7 Sept 2024 from 2 pm to 3 pm, Sunday 15 Sept 2024 from 4 pm to 6 pm and Sunday 22 Sept 2024 from 3 pm to 5 pm.

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Paunu describes his work:
The works outline a world that does not exist, but which may be possible. There is a human being, striving towards something, maybe balance, maybe happiness.Painting is slow. I like the idea that it is formed by layering, time passes and a trace is left.The works in the exhibition are painted on thick recycled plywood. I am interested in the simultaneous objectivity of painting and the possibility of a three-dimensional impression.

Docent Martta Heikkilä adds:
Paunu is a painter of space, setting his paintings up as if to transform them into installations. Wood is one of the materials his paintings are based on: it can be carved and painted – it is possible to install an increasing number of new parts onto the surface of wood. The meticulous, time-consuming work shows in the sculptures: it is only after woodworking that the material’s form is unleashed, revealing the true character of the material.

It is as if Paunu was in search of the timeless core layer of humanity, of causes and consequences of actions, sensations from goodness, trust and triumph to shame and disbelief. Paunu’s images reflect the uniqueness of each experience and human’s relationship with the unknown dimensions of the world: nature, depths of mind, mental images of the artist and the viewer.

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PAAVO PAUNU (b. 1965) was born in Tampere and lives in Rauma. He makes paintings, sculptures and installations. In addition to his own artistic work, he has worked as the director of the Free Art School.

His works are in the collections of HAM (Helsinki Art Museum), the Academy of Fine Arts, Lönnström Art Museum, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Pori Art Museum, the Swedish State, the Finnish Art Association, Tampere Art Museum and the Wihuri Foundation.

OTHER PROGRAM:
CRITICAL CLUB: ART, FANTASY AND POLITICS
Sat 7 Sept 2024 from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm
The event will be recorded
Paavo Paunu and Teemu Mäki discuss art, fantasy and politics. The discussion will be in Finnish, but the audience can also ask questions in English.
The event is open and free of charge. WELCOME!