Kari Cavén

Cry and Whispers
12 Jan – 5 Feb 2017
exhibition view

KARI CAVÉN likes to work with recycled materials and everyday objects, shaping and combining them in surprising ways. In something forgotten and useless, Cavén will see an opportunity for something else, something wise, amusing or to be considered. He combines objects in an unorthodox manner and surprisingly, dismantling and assembling things. Cavén’s art not only touches upon Arte Povera but also gently on Fluxus, constructivism and surrealism, creating from them his inimitable Cavénism – sometimes funny and sometimes thoughtful but always surprising and of clear form.

Kari Cavén (b. 1954, Savonlinna) has exhibited extensively, including at Galeria Cavalo in Rio de Janeiro, Busan Museum of Art in South-Korea, Gallery Andersson Sandström in Umeå, Kunsthalle Helsinki, Skulpturens Hus in Stockholm, and Östfold Kunstsenter in Fredrikstad. He has been invited to create many public sculptures in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Cavén’s works are included in numerous collections, including Moderna Museet Stockholm, Göteborg Art Museum, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Tampere Art Museum and EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art. He has represented Finland in the Venice and Sao Paulo biennales. In 2014, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

J huilaa, 2019
mixed media
44 x 62 x 3,5 cm

In private collection

Palapeli, 2019
mixed media
80 x 80 cm

In private collection

Apuva, 2018
mixed media
55 x 90 x 31 cm

In private collection

Cry and Whispers
12 Jan – 5 Feb 2017
exhibition view

Irtaimisto, 2017
mixed media
163 x 123 cm

In Wihuri Foundation Collection

A Worker's Diary
4–28 April 2019

Vedenkerjääjä, 2019
mixed media
183 x 187 x 128 cm

Cry and Whispers
12 Jan – 5 Feb 2017
exhibition view

Broileri, 2017
mixed media
55 x 42 x 13 cm

In Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art collection

Huuto ja kuiskauksia, 2017
mixed media
210 x 177 x 20 cm

Viimeinen ehtoollinen, 2017
mixed media
60 x 90 x 17 cm

In Niemistö Foundation Collection

Apuva!, 2014
mixed media
195 x 117 x 6 cm

Selection of available works. For the full list, please contact galerie(at)anhava.com

Musta tuntuu, 2021
mixed media
104 x 47 x 20cm

Vuorovesi , 2021
mixed media
56 x 90 x 15cm

As Time Goes By, 2017
mixed media
81 x 80 x 25 cm

Palaveri, 1995-98
mixed media
80 x 61 x 61 cm

Hyvä idea, 2017
mixed media
30 x 30 x 20 cm

Lähentyminen, 2014
mixed media
95 x 93 x 6 cm

Kypärät (Karl-Anton, Rasmus, Valter, Gustav, Johannes, Helmi, Robin, Fanny, Rebecca), 2014
mixed media
106 x 95 x 14 cm

Round Smile, 2014
mixed media
83 x 126 x 7 cm

Cool Panties L, 2014
mixed media
145 x 290 x 5 cm

Send inquiry

BioCVExhibitions

Exhibitions

Bio

KARI CAVÉN (b. 1954) is a visionary and a maker. In everyday objects in which we see only their conventional function or even something forgotten and useless, Cavén will see an opportunity for something else, something wise, amusing or to be considered.

He combines objects in an unorthodox manner and surprisingly, dismantling and assembling things. Scales for weighing a baby take an upright position to become a canopy for a saint. A potato masher with a Madonna underneath it – at least the Madonna of hattifatteners. Paper clips in a chain hanging from what was once part of a piano form an almost immaterial weave, a drawing creating a three-dimensional illusion. Some pieces are completely figurative, while others are completely abstract. Some provide the pleasure provided by visual perception and others that of touch, and all of them the pleasure of realization.

Kari Cavén brought Arte Povera to Finland, smoothed the creased brow of Finnish art and made us see things and think in new ways. Cavén’s art not only touches upon Arte Povera but also gently on Fluxus, constructivism and surrealism, creating from them his inimitable Cavénism – sometimes funny and sometimes thoughtful but always surprising and of clear form. Kari Cavén’s works combine in interesting ways the purity of the modern with the complexity of post-everything.

Kari Cavén likes to work with recycled materials and everyday objects. He shapes and combines them in surprising ways so that cheap bowls can turn into a solemn and grand piece of sculpture, a table top becomes an abstract plane of colour, a glass washing board an elegantly lyrical constructivist painting, or the parts of a toy train set become a modular piece of sculpture crystallising a cry on behalf of everything that we do not want to lose or against everything that we cannot stand.

Kari Cavén’s recent works are among others elegant, layered constructions of metal netting, an organically growing piece of sculpture made by cutting and combining wooden bowls, a squatter made of warehouse shelving supports and lead glass, a graphic metal chair sculpture…

Viewing Kari Cavén’s works, and with their aid, we have an opportunity to see our own conventional reality in a different light.

CV

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K A R I  C A V É N

Born 1954 in Savonlinna, Finland
Lives and works in Helsinki

EDUCATION
1978–1982 Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki
1977–1978 University of Applied Arts, Helsinki
1976–1977 Free Art School, Helsinki

AWARDS
2014 Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023
    • Syteen tai Cavén, Ars Nova, Turku
  • 2021
    • Kari Cavén – Vain muutaman pennin tähden, Gallerie Bässen, Raasepori
  • 2020
    • Ilo Pitkästä Itkusta, Riihisaari, Savonlinna
  • 2019
    • A Worker’s Diary, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
    • Työmiehen päiväkirja, Grafiikanpaja Himmeblau, Tampere
  • 2018
    • Like Thinkings, Galeria Cavalo, Rio de Janeiro
  • 2017
    • Cry and Whispers, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
  • 2015
    • Traditional Blend, Østfold kunstsenter, Fredrikstad
  • 2014
    • Sculptures as well, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
  • 2010
    • Galleria Forsblom, Helsinki
  • 2009
    • Galleri Andersson Sandström, Stockholm
  • 2008
    • Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki
  • 2007
    • Pori Art Museum, Pori
    • Galleria Orton, Helsinki
  • 2006
    • Galleri Andersson Sandström, Umeå
    • Galleri Röda Sten, Göteborg
    • Galleri 21, Malmö
  • 2005
    • Galleria Krista Mikkola, Helsinki, with Marjatta Palasto
    • Kajaani Art Museum, Kajaani, with Anu Tuominen
  • 2004
    • Attempt to fly, Vantaa Art Museum, Vantaa
    • Field Trip, Ars Nova, Turku
  • 2003
    • Galleri Stefan Andersson, Umeå
    • Field Trip, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Field trip, Oulu Art Museum, Oulu
  • 2002
    • Galleria Kari Kenetti, Helsinki
  • 2001
    • Pori Art Museum, Pori
    • Vikingsberg Art Museum, Helsingborg
  • 2000
    • Galleria Kari Kenetti, Helsinki
    • Skulpturens Hus, Stockholm
  • 1999
    • Kulturhuset, Bjurnholm
    • Galleri Arnstedt & Kullgren, Östra Karup
  • 1998
    • Väinö Aaltonen Art Museum, Turku
    • Galleri Stefan Andersson, Umeå
    • Galleria Kari Kenetti, Helsinki
    • Galerie Löhrl, Mönchengladbach
  • 1997
    • Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere
  • 1996
    • Galleria Artek, Helsinki
  • 1995
    • Galerie Löhrl, Mönchengladbach
  • 1994
    • Galerie Gebauer u. Günther, Berlin
    • Galleria Artek, Helsinki
    • Galerie Quartair, Haag
    • Amos Anderssonin taidemuseo, Helsinki
  • 1992
    • Gallerie Adelgatan 5, Malmö
    • Galerie Villa Rolandseck Rosemarie Bassi, Bonn
  • 1991
    • Savonlinna Art Museum, Savonlinna
    • Galerie Gebauer u. Günther, Berlin
  • 1990
    • La Biennale di Venezia, Venice
    • Galleria Mikkola & Rislakki, Helsinki
  • 1989
    • Joensuu Art Museum, with Jukka Mäkelä
    • Galleri Lång, Malmö
  • 1988
    • Galleria Krista Mikkola, Helsinki
  • 1987
    • 19. São Paulo Art Biennial
  • 1986
    • Galleria Krista Mikkola, Helsinki, with Raili Tang
  • 1985
    • Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki
  • 1983
    • Kuopio Art Museum, Kuopio

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

  • 2024
    • Arjen abstraktioita, Hämeenlinna Art Museum
    • Talvion kesä – Summer exhibition, Taidesalonki Talvio, Hartola
    • I feel, for now, Amos Rex, Helsinki
    • Experiments in Concretism, EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art
  • 2023
    • Summer Show, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
  • 2020
    • Explorations – the Lars Göran Johnsson Collection, Turku Art Museum
  • 2019
    • Finnish Aalto, Busan Museum of Art, South-Korea
    • Cavén, Jylhä, Karjula, Retulainen, Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, Vaasa
  • 2017
    • Suloisessa Suomessamme, Iisalmi
    • Lehmä pitää viedä jäälle, jotta se tanssii, Samuelis Baumgarte Galerie, Bielefield
    • Extension.fi: End of the World in the Mysterious Forest, Triumph Gallery, Moscow
    • Me: Self-Portraits Throught Time, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Real Celebration!, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation Collection exhibition, Rovaniemi Art Museum
    • Stripped – Collection Exhibition, Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki
  • 2016
    • Touch – Saastamoinen Foundation Art Collection Exhibition, EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art
    • Freehand, Art Center Purnu (Curator of the summer exhibition with Tina Cavén)
  • 2015
    • FINLAND, Galleri 21, Malmö
    • Occupy Space!, Rovaniemi Art Museum
    • Finlayson Art Area event, Tampere
  • 2013
    • Events in Nature, EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art
    • Heavy Metal and Stones, Galleri Andersson/Sandström, Umeå
  • 2011
    • Contemporary Art Archipelago (CAA), Turku
    • Nature forte, Rovaniemi Art Museum
    • Flux Aura 2011, Turku
    • Summer 2011, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki
    • Last time in Espa (Leena Luostarinen, Kari Cavén & Marja Kanervo), Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki
  • 2010
    • Flash, Sara Hilden Art Museum, Tampere
    • Moments to Remember, Väinö Aaltonen Art Museum, Turku
    • It’s getting warmer, Joensuu Art Museum
    • More than life, Pori Art Museum
  • 2009
    • Taide kantaa, Järvenpää Art Museum
  • 2008
    • The prodigal son returns – Swanljung collection eexhibition, Kuntsi Modern Art Museum, Vaasa
    • Umedalen skulptur 2008, Umeå
  • 2007
    • Readymade, Joensuu Art Museum
    • Boogie Woogie, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Zoo, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
    • Readymade, Joensuu Art Museum
    • Landscape, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
  • 2006
    • Connecting people, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Vestfossen
  • 2005
    • Daily fractures, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
    • Samtida Skulptur i Norden 1980–2005, Wanås Konst, Knislinge
  • 2004
    • Loves, loves not, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
  • 2002
    • Popcorn and politics, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
    • Umedalen Skulptur 2002, Umeå
    • Galleri Arnstedt & Kullgren, Östra Karup
  • 2001
    • Hokkarikukkia – Jenny and Antti Wihuri collection exhibition, Rovaniemi Art Museum
    • Five perspectives to contemporary art, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
    • Skin and soul, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä
  • 2000
    • Labyrint, Helsinki Art Museum
    • Umedalen Skulptur 2000, Umeå
    • Transitions, Malmö Konstmuseum
    • Kunsthalle, Rostock
  • 1999
    • Cities on the Move, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki
    • Malmö Konstmuseum besöker Wanås 1999, Wanås Konst, Knislinge
    • OPEN’999, Venice
  • 1998
    • Foretaste, Pori Art Museum
    • Konstvägen sju älvar, Umeå
    • Vanås 1998, Wanås Konst, Knislinge
    • Prins Eugen Waldemarsludde, Stockholm
  • 1997
    • Galleria Kari Kenetti, Helsinki
    • Umedalen 97, Umeå
  • 1996
    • Hordaland Prosjektgalleri, Bergen
    • Above/Below the Surface, MUHKA Museum van Hedendaagse, Antwerpen
    • Kunst Antwerpen, Antwerpen
  • 1995
    • Sculptor, Nordic Art Center, Helsinki
    • La Hora del Norte, Conde Dugue, Madrid
    • Pia Almoina, Barcelona
    • Enigma del Campo, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice
    • Air, Water, Earth, The Azabu Museum of Arts and Crafts, Tokyo
    • Takaoka Art Museum, Takaoka
    • Nagano Prefectual Shinano Art Museum, Nagano
    • Fukyama Museum of Art, Fukuyama
    • Daimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi Store, Exhibition Hall, Osaka
  • 1994
    • Nordiskt 90-tal, Stockholm Art Fair, Stockholm
  • 1993
    • Choices, Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere
    • Wanås 1993, Wanås Konst, Knislinge
    • Juxtaposition, Charlottenborg, Copenhagen
  • 1992
    • Det alle verste, Gallerie F 15, Moss
    • Skulpturlandskap Nordland, Nordland
    • Biennale Balticum, Rauma
    • Oulun Art Museum, with Jukka and Marika Mäkelä
  • 1991
    • Entrance to Exit, DAAD Gallerie, Berlin
    • Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver
  • 1990
    • Finland in München, Villa Stuck, München
    • Pastfuturetense, Winnipeg Art Gallery
    • Nach den Regeln der Kunst, Karmelitenkloster, Frankfurt
    • Kunstation Kleinsassen, Fulda
  • 1990–1991
    • Free zone, Kunsthalle Helsinki; Müczarnek, Budapest
  • 1988
    • Touch, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • The tree language, New York
    • The tree language, Minneapolis
    • Aperto, Biennale di Venezia, Venice
    • Schneeschmelze, Wiener Secessions, Vienna
    • Museum Ludwig, Aachen
    • Blumenhalle, Bonn
  • 1987
    • Utblickar, Smålands Museum, Växjö
    • Gallerie F 15, Moss
    • Aurora II, Nordic Art Center, Helsinki
    • Along the stream 5, Pori Art Museum
    • Light and matter, Helsinki Art Museum
  • 1986
    • Colour and Sculpture, Mikkeli Art Museum
    • Attitudes, Nordjyllans Kunstmuseum, Aalborg
    • Södertälje Konsthall, Södertälje
    • Kjarvalsstadir, Reykjavik

COLLECTIONS
Amos Andersson Art Museum, Helsinki
Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä
Espoo Art Museum
Göteborg Art Museum
Helsinborg Art Museum
Helsinki Art Museum
Hämeenlinna Art Museum
Joensuu Art Museum
Kajaani Art Museum
Malmö Art Museum
Moderna museet, Stockholm
Norköping Art Museum
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
Pori Art Museum
Saastamoinen collection, Espoo Modern Art Museum
Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere
Oulu Art Museum
Tampere Art Museum
Turku Art Museum
Vesterås Art Museum
Wihuri foundation collection, Rovaniemi Art Museum
Salo Art Museum
Beiarn munincipality
Espoo city collection
Helsinki University
Kultur i länet, Uppsala
Lindköping stad
Lindköping universitet
Malmö stad
Umeå kommun
State art council
State of Finland
Tampere city collection
Vantaa city collection
Västebottens county council

PUBLIC SCULPTURES
“Naughty ducks/Tuhmat ankat”, Svenska Kulturfonden, Helsinki
“UHO (Unidentified Hanging Object)”, Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)
“Kraft uttryk”, Lindköping University
“Mottagning”, Cloetta Arena, City of Lindköping
“Waterfall”, City of Malmö
“Konstvägen”, Bjurholm kommun
“Kokappel”, Vanås sculpture park
“Eetu”, City of Tampere
“Short Island”, City of Helsinki
”Miraculous Nature” City of Oulu
”Test-tube adult”, Helsingin University
“Idag i morgen. Alltid”, Beiarn
”Gifts from the Sky”, Turku