Residency Guests

Art historian and artist Laura Nissinen will spend the month of January at the Serlachius Residency. In her doctoral dissertation, she has already focused on the intersection of visual arts and science in the 19th century. She went through the imagery of science, which in his opinion contributed to the development of abstractions in art.

“Scientific images, which were produced using a microscope, for example, showed a world that would otherwise be inaccessible to the human eye,” she says

In Serlachius’ collections, Laura Nissinen focuses especially on art that depicts human remains, such as skulls and skeletons. They can be found, for example, in the works of Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Eric Ehrström and Magnus Enckell, as well as in Olga Gummerus-Ehrström’s sketchbooks from her student days.

“As far as Gallen-Kallela is concerned, I will discuss the subject in my article, which will be published in January in the publication series of the Finnish Antiquities Society,” she says.

She has already become acquainted with Serlachius’s collections in two art history courses focusing on pre-modern art at the University of Helsinki, one of which he taught as a teacher.

“The residency offers me a longer, continuous period of research into the museum’s collections and archive materials than a one-day visit. I have, in fact, found new subjects, such as Eric Ehrström’s plant-themed photographs. The residency has also inspired me to delve into the history of the Serlachius Company, which is excitingly intertwined with my previous research.”

As a winter person, Laura Nissinen has enjoyed the residency very much and has enjoyed the silence, frost and ice swimming. “It will be sad to give up the sculpture park in the courtyard,” she admits.

The presentation has been published in the residency newsletter in January 2026.

Lauri Lähteenmäki focuses on the forest industry’s impact on nature in the Mänttä region

Helsinki-based photographic artist and environmental expert Lauri Lähteenmäki is interested in broad social issues that are linked to the use and management of nature and, on the other hand, to the dependence of the entire civilization on natural systems.

“I approach these questions with an investigative approach, mostly through documentary photography. For example, my photo book Green Gold Fever: A Report on the State of Finnish Forests (2022) describes landscapes shaped by forestry and presents public debate on forest use,” he says.

Lauri Lähteenmäki has recently completed and submitted for peer review a research article combining documentary photography and social science together with researcher Maarit Laihonen.

In September and October, his exhibition will open at the Sarka Agricultural Museum, which deals with the neglected status of peatland nature in Finnish culture and the development of the state.

“The Serlachius Residency offers a great setting for working. I will delve into writing an essay, take photographs in the surrounding areas and get to know the activities of the Serlachius Museums. The area is well suited for the implementation of works on forestry,” he says.

The presentation has been published in the residency newsletter in January 2026.

Karkki Mäkelä makes sculptures that delve into consumption and ownership

In her cyborg sculptures, Tampere-based visual artist Karkki Mäkelä combines man-made objects with body parts made of self-drying clay. She makes sculptures of small household appliances, electronics and garden equipment, among other things.

“I have dealt a lot with the relationship between consumption and ownership and identity and social pressures. Here at the residency, I’ve also studied a certain kind of consumer aesthetics, how choices and style mean more and more which tribe you belong to, or especially what you don’t belong to,” she explains.

Boasting and ostentation can also be seen in Karkki Mäkelä’s works. The muscles of body parts stretch unnaturally in an attempt to act as an extension of the ego. “I approach my subjects with a gentle sense of humour, and often the hits are found through stinging introspection.”

She was attracted to the Serlachius Residence by the unique combination of peace and culture in Mänttä, as she wanted to work in a focused, continuous manner. She will spend the month of January working on small serial sculptures at the residency.

“Expectations have been met, if not exceeded. The milieu and spirit of the city have brought surprising inspiration,” she says.

The presentation has been published in the residency newsletter in January 2026.

Artists-in-residence chosen for 2026 include also:

Timo Andersson, Finland
Polina Choni, Ukraine/Finland
Tom Espinoza, Venezuela/Argentiina
Verena Issel, Norway/Germany
Paulo Jacobo, Mexico
Ilai Lehto, Finland
Eeva Karhu, Finland
Tina Kohlman, Germany
Tanja Leppäaho, Finland
Lauri Linna, Finland
Markus Luiro, Finland
Hanneriina Moisseinen, Finland
Janne Räisänen, Finland
Ayaka Tadano, Japan
Sirkka Tapio, Finland
Leena Ylä-Lyly, Finland

Reserve list:
Anu Halmesmaa, Finland
Mirja Ilkka, Finland
Timo Kokko, Finland
Santiago Colombo Migliorero, Argentina/Spain
Adi Tudose, Romania
Wim Schermer, Netherlands
Bahzad Sulaiman, Syria/Germany

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