Elina Brotherus – Time

27.10.2023–4.2.2024
 

The exhibition Time presents an extensive selection of internationally acclaimed Finnish photographer Elina Brotherus' works throughout her career.

Elina Brotherus works since more than twenty years in photography and moving image. Her work has been alternating between autobiographical and art-historical approaches. 

Working serially, Brotherus appears in most of her works herself, but rarely as herself. The human figure creates the subtle mood of the works and sets the scale for the other subjects. The figure in the images can serve as a compositional element in the landscape or as a reference to history or the present day – both real and imagined.

Brotherus’ international career began 25 years ago with the series Suites Françaises (1999). The artist travelled to France to work in an artist residency and learn French. The photo series realized during the period crystallised feelings of living in a new environment, adapting to a new culture and language. 

In the following series of works, Brotherus explored art historical themes, landscape and the relationship between artist and model. With her 2016 Prix Elysée nomination, Brotherus began to use as basis of new work instructions published in the 1960s and 1970s by the Fluxus artists and American conceptual artist John Baldessari. The work in this series is at the same time exhilarating, serious and absurd. 

Over the past few years, Brotherus has photographed in several well-known architectural buildings. These locations are connected by the fact that they were originally built as private homes. The female figure in the photographs inspires the viewer to build a narrative. Who are these women? What era do they represent? Through the fictional character, we also gain new perspectives on iconic buildings. The contemporary artist's gaze makes the architectural heritage visible to new audiences. Brotherus stimulates a discussion on the importance of well-designed and aesthetically ambitious spaces for human life and well-being. 

Time is part of a thematic exhibition ensemble by Brotherus. During the fall of 2023 in Jyväskylä are simultaneously on view the artist's exhibitions Space at the Alvar Aalto Museum and Movement at the Centre for Creative Photography.

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Brotherus lives and works both in Helsinki and Avallon, France. Her first international exhibition was in 1997. Brotherus' works are in several public collections, including the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, the Serlachius Museums in Mänttä-Vilppula, LACMA in Los Angeles and the Tangen Collection in Kunstsilo, Kristiansand. Brotherus has received several major awards for her work. She has received several significant awards.