Tove Jansson: Paradise Exhibition at Helsinki Art Museum

‘Tove Jansson: Paradise‘ at the Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) represents a groundbreaking moment as it is the first occasion where Jansson’s public paintings have been showcased collectively. While Tove Jansson, who passed away in 2001, is predominantly celebrated for her creation of the beloved Moomin characters, this exhibition offers a fresh perspective by focusing on the extensive murals she produced on commission during the 1940s and 1950s, primarily in her hometown of Helsinki. This display shines a spotlight on her lesser-known yet significant contributions to the mural genre.

The exhibition features a diverse range of works, from small decorative pieces to monumental frescoes. Among the highlights are six large charcoal drawings, recently uncovered in Jansson’s studio, that have never before been exhibited. These pieces provide fascinating insights into her creative process and artistic evolution.

Most of Jansson’s public murals were created during the post-war reconstruction era, a period marked by a yearning for beauty and imagination in the aftermath of conflict. Her vibrant and whimsical worlds served as a much-needed escape from the grim realities of war, and many of these works were commissioned for environments tailored for children, such as kindergartens and elementary schools. This exhibition transports visitors back to a time before the Moomins gained worldwide popularity, a phenomenon that only began to flourish in the 1990s. Notably, Jansson’s first Moomin book, ‘The Moomins and the Great Flood‘, was not translated into Finnish until 1991, emphasizing her initial local focus.

Even though the exhibition primarily emphasizes her work prior to the full onset of ‘Moominmania,’ the endearing Moomin characters do make subtle appearances throughout several murals, inviting visitors to engage in a delightful search for them.

To further enrich the experience, the exhibition includes a selection of works from HAM’s Leonard and Katarina Bäcksbacka Collection, alongside a variety of photographs and videos. A recently completed documentary focusing on Jansson’s altarpiece at Teuva Church also provides additional context and depth regarding her life and work.