Dreamy

Queer Imaginaries

Dreamy presents a selection of works from the Finnish National Gallery’s collections reflecting on issues of gender and sexuality. It deals with subjects related to queer self-searching, pain, love, desire, fantasy and dream fulfillment.

  • 28.4.–26.11.2023
2nd floor
Tickets: with a museum ticket

Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Nothing to Lose VII, 1989. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Pirje Mykkänen.

Liberation from conventions

The question at the core of the show is: How does one live a queer life? The term queer in this context refers to a way of being or doing that involves liberation from conventions. The featured works are like codes that can be deciphered to discover new connections between oneself and the world. Such liberation is fundamentally linked to the world of dreams and fantasy.

“There is an underlying spirit of desire and a search for connection in the exhibition. I believe it will offer points of identification in the areas of sexuality, gender, desire, intimacy and connection.”

Max Hannus, the curator of the show

The featured artists explore themes such as seeking connections, finding a home, dualism between private and public life, and the search for love. The themes of the Dreamy exhibition are extended and deepened by a programme of performances at Kiasma Theatre.

Featured artists

Lynda Benglis, Jessica Andrey Bogush, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Nan Goldin, Artor Jesus Inkerö, Jukka Korkeila, Anne Koskinen, Reija Meriläinen, Kalervo Palsa, Tero Puha, Jacolby Satterwhite, Anna Uddenberg ja Bogna Luiza Wisniewska.

Curator

The exhibition is curated by guest curator Max Hannus (b. 1984). Hannus is a Helsinki-based freelance curator and writer interested in the intersections of desire, relationships and artmaking.

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