PAVILLION OF IMMORTALS – Eero Markuksela

Eero Markuksela approaches the conceptual imagery of the ancient Chinese art and culture tradition with the means of photography, writing, and painting. The old Chinese artworks in the exhibition belong to the collections of Onni Okkonen and Liisa and Otto Kotovuori.

In co-operation with: Joensuu Art Museum.

//

MEDIA RELEASE

Press Conference for Media
Thursday, 25 September 2014, at 11:00 AM
The event will include the release of Vertauskuvakellot (Metaphor Clocks), a book by Eero Markuksela, published as part of the Pori Art Museum’s publication series.

Artist Talk for the Public
Friday, 26 September 2014, at 12:00 PM

Exhibition Opening
Friday, 26 September 2014, starting at 6:00 PM

Eero Markuksela has made five trips to China for creative work and exhibitions. During these travels, he writes, paints, and photographs in numerous cities, villages, and mountains. Markuksela has developed a complex and nuanced perspective on the experiences and sights from his journeys. His art often intertwines visual imagery with written language.

The exhibition Kuolemattomien paviljonki (Pavilion of the Immortals) features works by Markuksela, alongside objects and artworks from one of Finland’s most significant and versatile collections of Chinese art—the collections of Onni Okkonen and Liisa and Otto Kotovuori from the Joensuu Art Museum.

Eero Markuksela’s artistic journey began with influences from Western avant-garde art, particularly French and American visual art. His creative process originates from sensory encounters with people and landscapes of valleys, forests, and mountains. Observation forms the foundation and adds meaning to his work.

Markuksela pursues presence through diverse approaches, including his interest in Chinese culture, philosophy, and poetry. He is fascinated by both the historical and contemporary aspects of Chinese art and culture, which embody a tradition of slowness and masterful craftsmanship. Between 2006 and 2012, Markuksela made five trips to China, holding solo exhibitions in prominent art museums in cities such as Luoyang along the Yellow River, Hefei in Central China, and Huangshan in the Yangtze River valley.

The Pavilion of the Immortals exhibition unfolds like the symbol-based Chinese language, presenting paintings, texts, and photographs. Alongside the exhibition, Markuksela’s book Vertauskuvakellot will be published. The book includes a preface by art critic Kari Alatalo, an article by Professor Altti Kuusamo, and poems and images by Eero Markuksela himself.

“I photographed the sunrise on the Yellow Mountains and painted it from my memory of the experience.
I was at 1,600 meters.
I prepared the base layers with gold leaf,
Painted on three small sheets of paper,
Each measuring 12.5 x 13.0 cm.
I wait for the work to dry.
The time is 07:08.”
– Eero Markuksela, from Vertauskuvakellot

The search for artistic themes and the pursuit of the “perfect” artwork is ongoing. For the painter Eero Markuksela, the journey continues…

About the Artist
Eero Markuksela was born in Oulu and has lived in Helsinki since 1981. He graduated as a painter from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in 1988. From 1992 to 2001, he served as the principal of the Pori Art School, during which time the school evolved into a four-year vocational art institution.

For More Information

• Pori Art Museum: Eteläranta, 28100 Pori, Tel: +358 2 621 1080
• Exhibition Curator: Pia Hovi-Assad, Tel: +358 44 701 1089, pia.hovi-assad@pori.fi
• www.poriartmuseum.fi

Publication:

EERO MARKUKSELA
VERTAUSKUVAKELLOT | METAPHORICAL BELLS

ISBN 978-952-5648-47-8
ISSN 0359-4327
Porin taidemuseon julkaisuja 128 | Pori Art Museum publications 128
Toimitus | Editing Pia Hovi-Assad, Kati Kunnas-Holmström, Esko Nummelin
Artikkelit | Articles Kari Alatalo, Altti Kuusamo
Valokuvat ja riimit | Photographs and rhymes Eero Markuksela
Graafinen suunnittelu | Graphic design Kati Kunnas-Holmström
Käännökset englanniksi | English translation Jüri Kokkonen, Simo Rissanen
Käännökset kiinaksi | Chinese translation Xinsheng Li
© Taiteilija | Artist, Kirjoittajat | Authors, Valokuvaajat | Photographers