Swedish visual artist Hilda Hellström’s entry Passage of Time was the unanimous winner of the high quality art competition for invited international artists for the artwork to be erected at the Åbo Akademi Foundation’s new Astra building.

The Astra campus building, which the Foundation for Åbo Akademi University is having built, will enrich the historic quarter in the centre of old Turku with its architecture. Astra’s design combines contemporary art into an ambitious whole, a central part of which is the work Passage of Time, which will be erected in front of the building.

The entry won the international art competition for invited artists. Participants included sculptor Laura Könönen (FIN), visual artist Akseli Leinonen (FIN), sculptor Eetu Huhtala (FIN), visual artist Hilda Hellström (SWE) and visual artist Sara Nielsen Bonde (SWE/DE).

The work Passage of Time convinced the jury with its powerful treatment of time. The work is based on the idea of a slow, geological time. In its form, the work consists of large blocks that form a gateway motif placed in a group.

“The sculptures resemble layers of stone material cut out of a larger block, revealing the layers that the earth has slowly formed. The idea of the proposal is linked to the archaeological excavations carried out in the area, where the elements found are interpreted as part of the details of the work, in which the Turku fire is also visible. The traces of the fire run like a dark stripe through the city’s soil. It is inspiring to realise a work in a place with so many historical layers,” says Hilda Hellström.

The winner was chosen by a jury consisting of representatives of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, Åbo Akademi University, the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University, the Turku Museum Centre, the Artists’ Association of Finland and Sigge Architects. In joint second place were Eero Huhtala’s entry Iterations and Akseli Leinonen’s Outside Infinity.

“We received five high-quality entries, but in the end it was very clear which entry was the winner and the decision was made by a unanimous jury. It is wonderful to be involved in the realisation of new contemporary art in an international collaboration”, says Ulrika Grägg, curator at the Åbo Akademi Foundation.

The goal is for the artwork to be completed when Astra is taken into use in the autumn of 2025.

The competition was organised in accordance with the competition rules of the Artists’ Association of Finland. Public Art Agency Finland, an agency specialising in public art coordination was responsible for the practical arrangements on behalf of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation. The artwork will form a part of Astra’s broader art collection, whose works interpret the theme Burning Time in various ways. The Åbo Akademi University Foundation reserves the right to decide on the realisation of the artwork.

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Tied for secon place were the entries Iterations and Outside Infinity.

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Jury members:
Lasse Svens, CEO, Åbo Akademi University Foundation
Ulrika Grägg, curator, Åbo Akademi University Foundation
Heidi Backman, director of University Services, Åbo Akademi University
Ann Charlott Hästö, manager of Facilities Management Services, Åbo Akademi University
Kia Koponen, representative of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
Hathhaikant Ranumas, representative of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
Jouni Lehtonen, architect, Sigge Architects
Pekka Mäki, CEO and architect arkitekt, Sigge Architects
Heini Aho, artist
Antti Laitinen, artist
Riina Kotilainen, assistant curator, Turku Museum Centre