Harro

Harro Koskinen is important to the history of contemporary art in the Nordic countries for his early use of pop art as a radical form of social critique. Born in 1945 in Turku, Finland, Harro started exhibiting his work in 1967. He was an active member of the underground culture of the time, illustrating and writing for radical publications. This exhibition concentrates on this particular period of his career, presenting many of his best known works from 1968 to 1972, as well as a few more recent pieces.

Harro’s art continues to stir discussion, stimulate research and act as a catalyst for artists and cultural critics. The intention of this exhibition is not only to introduce an acclaimed Nordic artist to an Icelandic audience but to create a dialogue around the critical message of his art. Harro’s strikingly simple and straightforward critique of the Finnish way of life around thirty to thirty-five years ago translates easily across time and borders. The questions that Harro raises may as well be asked about the Icelandic way of life, so that we may in turn examine our current values and lifestyles.

The exhibition is produced in cooperation with the Turku Art Museum.