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81. KARI CAVÉN,
9 February - 20 April 1997

A retrospective exhibition of Kari Cavén's works was opened on 9 February 1997 in the Sara Hildén Art Museum. Included in the exhibition were some of the most important works selected from Cavén's oeuvre, from the early paintings of 1982 to his most recent works, which have not previously been on display. The exhibition filled the entire upper floor of the museum.

Kari Cavén was born in Savonlinna in 1954. He studied at the Free Art School in 1976-77, then at the Department of General Studies in the University of Industrial Arts 1977-78 and in 1978 he began his studies at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, from which he graduated in 1982.

Cavén is one of Finland's internationally known artists. He has participated in many international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennial, where his works have been shown several times, in 1988, 1990 and 1995.

Cavén began his career as a painter, but after experimenting with a range of different materials, he turned to a three-dimensional form of expression. Cavén received a basic training in sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts, but instead of pursuing a traditional type of sculpture, he has developed his own very characteristic style with works made of rejected, already used materials. He turns these scrapped goods into art through a multi-dimensional process. Cavén's experienced eye selects objects through which he conjures up ideas, both of a structural and content-related nature. His works are not just skilful compilations of material nor cosy reflections on the daily life of an average person. They take on additional meaning through the spirit of change, playfulness and quiet humour present in the works. The sculptor links recycled material with autobiographical elements or with subject matter common to all people. He then uses the name of the work to guide the viewer in the right direction.

Catalogue:
Kari Cavén
1997, 63 pages
Sara Hildén Art Museum Publication 63
ISSN 0357-3001
ISBN 952-9652-18-6
Price FIM 70

5,192 visitors attended the exhibition.