The Model and the Mad Painter

The book Model and the Mad painter is an exhibition publication of the Serlachius Museums. It came out in connection with an eponymous exhibition shown at Serlachius Museum Gösta. Hence, it combines the artworks from Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation’s collections and monologues that Finnish writer Riikka Ala-Harja has authored.

As a result, Ala-Harja’s texts give the often unknown models of the artworks an opportunity to express their views. The monologues have been specially created for the show exhibited at Serlachius Museum Gösta.

Moreover, the publication sheds light on the art historical facts behind the artworks. Riikka Ala-Harja has addressed these facts in her monologues. Subsequently, the mad painter refers to Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. In the late 19th century, he lived and worked at Ekola croft in Keuruu. In their minds, the often uneducated local people regarded him as a mad man. But above all, they called him “The painter”.

Editor: Laura Kuurne
Graphic design: Teija Lammi, Grafemi
Translations: Kaija Anttonen, Steven Crockatt, Kristian London
180 pages
ISBN 978-952-7017-09-8
Serlachius Museums’ Publications 22
Aldus Oy, Lahti 2015