Palace Basilica

26 May – 18 June, 2023

Gallery Sculptor, Helsinki

The inspiration for Laura Lappi’s upcoming exhibition are the grandeur of ancient basilicas, cathedrals, and medieval Scandinavian wooden structures. The sculptures comprise abstracted segments of various architectural structures, reminding of the sculptural properties of some of the world’s most renowned works of architecture. Through the series of sculptures Lappi addresses the topics of what these buildings and structures represent in our communities, since they are usually seen as the most expressive, the most permanent and the most influential and shape the way we live and think.

The wall reliefs are based on historic blueprints and built up with layers of recycled wood in repeating geometric shapes. To preserve the wood from decay and to unify the structure in a natural way, Lappi is charring it with fire. In her sculptures, Lappi combines different types of wood such as pine, oak, walnut, and maple, which all char in different ways. Treating traditional materials in a natural way is essential in her works.

Laura Lappi has studied at the AKI Academy of Art and Design in The Netherlands. Currently she lives and works in New York. Lappi’s work has been exhibited  internationally, including solo exhibitions at Lorimoto gallery in New York and The Yard project space in Colorado. Her site-specific installation 7×7 (Hope) was installed in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York and commissioned by Art In The Parks NYC.

The exhibition has been supported by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. The artist’s working has been supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Oskar Öflunds Stiftelse.

Photos: Aukusti Heinonen