“The works have become my friends.” –Vexi Salmi

Works by Kari Cavén, Jorma Hautala, Heli Hiltunen, Jani Hänninen, Pertti Kekarainen, Anne Koskinen and Jorma Puranen are on view as part of a commemorative exhibition Vexi Salmi and Friends at Hämeenlinna Art Museum, running from 25 November 2022 until 22 October 2023.

Veikko Olavi “Vexi” Salmi (21 Sep 1942 – 8 Sep 2020) collected a large art collection during his life, which he donated to his hometown and its art museum in 2010. This year would have marked Salmi’s 80th birthday, which Hämeenlinna Art Museum celebrates with the commemorative exhibition, showcasing comprehensively works from the Vexi Salmi Collection. The general public knows Salmi as the lyricist, record producer and song writer, but he was also a passionate collector and connoisseur of fine art – the collection has more than 550 works or series of works, including paintings, drawings, graphics, photographic art and sculptures. Many of the artists also became Salmi’s close friends.

 

Image: Jani Hänninen, Less is More, 2013, mixed media on canvas, 150 x 150 cm