OLAVI JALKANEN’S MEMORIAL EXHIBITION

PRESS RELEASE

As an artist, Olavi Jalkanen has become recognized in Satakunta primarily as a portrait painter. His long career as an art teacher in numerous Pori schools has also earned him widespread recognition. Many will recall his skill as a graphic designer, particularly through his Pori Day posters, which made his work familiar even to those who might not actively follow visual arts.

This exhibition aims not only to honor his extensive contributions to Pori’s visual arts and cultural life but also to provide a more diverse and accurate understanding of his artistic character. To achieve this, the exhibition emphasizes his broader body of work rather than focusing solely on portraits. Instead, the spotlight is on his freer, more expressive pieces, which better convey his artistic vision and thoughts, offering the people of Pori a fuller appreciation of his extensive oeuvre.

Although we have long embraced Olavi Jalkanen as one of our own in Pori, and rightly awarded him the Pro Pori Medal, he was originally from Savonia. Even so, his commanding, almost sculpted presence seemed more at home amidst the maritime landscapes of Satakunta than the idyllic lakesides of central Finland.

Savonians are often regarded as the “French of Finland,” and this Savonian aspect was deeply ingrained in Jalkanen’s personality. He valued the art of living and held it in equal esteem with good art. Beneath his stoic exterior lay a well of temperament, sensitivity, and a highly refined sense of style, all of which are reflected in his extensive body of work.

His sturdiness and strength of character were evident in how he composed and structured his works. This solidity is particularly apparent in pieces constructed around geometric forms, where bold color blocks play a vital role in the overall structure. On the other hand, his more delicate, almost lyrical side is exemplified in his numerous watercolors. These works showcase his ability to capture forms and figures with just a few deft brushstrokes. The rare talent of quickly grasping and representing form was the foundation of his prolific career as a portrait artist.

Although he seemingly captured his subjects effortlessly, the process of working with a model was long and meticulous. For Jalkanen, mere resemblance was not enough; the portrait had to embody the subject’s entire personality. His concern for achieving this depth was ever-present throughout the painting process, making it mentally demanding and exhausting, inevitably leaving its mark on his health.

While his life ended too soon by human standards, his body of work represents the measure of a life fully lived. May this exhibition, modest as it is, serve as a tribute to Olavi Jalkanen and his dedicated contributions to art and Pori’s cultural heritage.

(Excerpt from the exhibition publication “Olavi Jalkanen,” written by Erkki Linnala)

Publication:
ISBN 951-9355-03-0 Olavi Jalkanen
Pori Art Museum 9.3.-8.4.1984, memorial exhibition
Lay-out and photos: Vesa Antikainen
Satakunnan Kirjateollisuus Oy, Pori 1984

Translated with ChatGPT