Galerie Forsblom holds a unique position in the Nordic art scene as one of the largest and most international contemporary art galleries operating in the region. Whilst the gallery’s exhibition programme incorporates a wide range of different visual media, Galerie Forsblom is renowned for representing excellence in both contemporary painting and sculpture. Founded in 1977 by Kaj Forsblom, Galerie Forsblom has from the very beginning presented works by established Finnish and international artists to both local and international audiences. Today the gallery’s Studio space functions as an additional context for presenting works by a carefully selected group of younger artists.
For CHART 2023 Galerie Forsblom is delighted to spotlight a selection of both international and Finnish renowned artists: Anna Fasshauer (DE), Jacob Hashimoto (US), Secundino Hernández (ES), Jason Martin (UK), Ron Gorchov (US), Stephan Balkenhol (DE) and Toni R. Toivonen (FI).
Anna Fasshauer, Defraction Lace, 2021
Jason Martin, Past Present, Gold leaf on linen, 2019
Secundino Hernández, Untitled, Acrylic on linen, 2021
Jacob Hashimoto, The sole intention of the world, 2021
Toni R. Toivonen, Mother, 2022
Stephan Balkenhol, Jackal, Painted wawa wood, 2022
Ron Gorchov, Phaethon, Oil on linen, 2015
Jason Martin (UK)
Jason Martin creates masterful illusions of depth. His works are steeped in materiality, movement, and a powerful, physical sensuality. His large- scale monochromatic sculptural paintings consist of thick surfaces of oil or acrylic gel which are spread on top of a reflective metal, such as aluminium, in one movement. This movement is usually repetitive until the perfect balance of paint, translucence, and striation is achieved. Martin negotiates between the boundaries of Action Painting , Minimalism, and Abstract Expressionism.
Jason Martin (b.1970, Jersey, Channel Islands; UK) lives and works between London (UK) and Melides (PT). Martin's works have been exhibited widely, including at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice (IT); Centro de Arte Contemporàneo de Malaga, Malaga (ES); Sinaloa Ar Museum, Sinaloa (MX). In addition, his works are in numerous public collections, such as Denver Art Museum, Denver (US); Albright- Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York (US); Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC (US).
Secundino Hernández approaches his works from the premise of figurative expression; his paintings contain references to Francis Picabia and Joan Miró, amongst other surrealists. History, however, appears fragmented, its components concealed or scattered. Action painting is reminiscent of the spontaneous strokes and expressive color fields generated in the analytical process, wherein the artist makes visible the various stages of creation: the blend of colors and the cartoon-like borders are outlined not on the palette but rather directly onto the canvas. Radiating fascination with the creative process, Hernández’s work grounds the visual power of painting firmly in the present.
Over the last few years, Hernández (b.1975) has had numerous exhibitions at major art museums and in Europe's leading galleries. The artist's works are also included in several significant private collections, such as the Rubell Family Collection in Miami. Hernández graduated from the Universidad Complutense Department of Painting in Madrid, Spain.
Working within the genre of conceptual painting, Toni R. Toivonen (b. 1987) has been using the process of decomposition as his artistic method for the past few years. He finds animals that have died of natural causes and leaves the carcass to rot on a brass plate. The decomposing animal leaves an imprint on the brass that not only immortalizes its silhouette, but literally captures the last remaining traces of the animal’s presence on earth.
Toni R. Toivonen graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 2016. He has had several solo exhibitions and his work is found in numerous private and public collections, both in Finland and internationally.
