Gallerist Q&A - Olli Piippo

How did you come to enter the artworld and what were your previous work experiences?

My perspective on the art world is shaped by both my experience as an artist and my role in the gallery field. I initially studied to become an artist at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki and Universität der Künste Berlin before immersing myself in the Berlin art scene for a decade. Since 2010, I have also served on the board of Helsinki Contemporary (then Gallery Kalhama & Piippo Contemporary), allowing me to engage with the art world from a different vantage point.

Having entered the field from both the artistic and curatorial sides, I believe this dual perspective has been an asset—first as an artist and now as a gallerist, with a deep understanding of the artist’s experience.

Additionally, my experience serving on the boards of both an investment company and an agricultural production company has provided me with valuable insights into business management.

As the new director and owner of Helsinki Contemporary, how have your responsibilities in the gallery changed over the years?

I became the director of Helsinki Contemporary in 2022 and, at the end of last year, officially acquired the company in my name. Being the owner of the gallery now gives me the freedom to shape its direction according to my vision.

While I continue to collaborate with many of the artists who have been part of the gallery since its origins in 2007, my goal is to refine its focus and roster to align with the evolving landscape of today's art world. Of course, with this freedom also comes full financial responsibility for the gallery’s economy, and also the responsibility towards the artists of the gallery.

Your program emphasises contemporary Finnish artists—why is this focus important?

From the beginning, Helsinki Contemporary has had a strong focus on Finnish contemporary art. Considering the high quality of Finnish artists compared to their visibility on the international art scene, I see that it is only logical for a Finnish contemporary art gallery to take the benefit of representing the country’s leading artists—both domestically and on the international stage.

You have initiated the Art Patron model, seeking to integrate contemporary art into businesses. What benefits does it offer to both artists and business partners?

The Finnish tax system does not incentivise businesses to collect art, as companies cannot deduct art purchases from their taxation. This stands in contrast to other Scandinavian countries, where corporate art collections play a significant role in the art market. So through the Art Patron model, we have introduced the concept of integrating art into the workplace, making it more accessible to local businesses.

However, Art Patron is about more than just placing artworks in office spaces—it is a values-driven collaboration that aligns with a company’s mission while actively supporting artists’ independent work. It also highlights the growing significance of art in our rapidly changing world.

Sustainability remains a key topic in the art world—has the gallery adopted any new strategies to enhance sustainability?

Of course, our gallery is committed to reducing its environmental impact. We have adopted sustainable exhibition practices, including using eco-friendly materials for installations and minimising waste in production.

We also prioritise working with artists and suppliers who share our commitment to responsible practices and encourage digital catalogues and online viewing rooms to reduce paper consumption and international shipping needs.

That said, I believe that meaningful change will ultimately come through political decisions and legislation that compel industries and freight to adopt more energy-efficient and lower-emission solutions.

How do you envision the gallery evolving in the coming years?

Many of our talented artists are currently gaining significant recognition on the international art scene, including Emma Ainala, Anton Alvarez, Anna Retulainen, Aki Turunen, and Emma Sarpaniemi, to name just a few. I believe the international presence of our gallery’s artists will continue to grow even more prominently in the coming years. So, let’s see what the future brings.