Saarat - Art by Saara Pylvänäinen and Saara Vallineva

Saara Pylvänäinen (19.9.1936-27.1.2016, née Hautsalo), born in Viitasaari, lived and worked most of her life in Hoikankyläby in Saarijärvi. She made Pellavaiset Piikkana-textiles® the centre of her artistic practice in spring 1977 and began painting from 1996 onwards. Her inspiration came from central Finnish nature across the seasons.

Saara Vallineva (born 1982) is a visual artist and author-illustrator who incorporates local and found materials into her work. The exhibition features mixed-media pieces and illustrations from picture books, inspired by folk art, crafts, maps and cultural heritage sites. Vallineva has drawn influences from places connected to Fredrika and J. L. Runeberg, and some of the exhibited works were created at Lanneved and at the Säätyläiskoti Museum in Saarijärvi.