Frost and Elvis; It's a Wonderful Day: The King, the Forest, and Naked Finnish Girls by Markku Laakso
What do we know about Finnish art? Most people might only remember the great composer Jean Sibelius. As for contemporary art, few can name a single artist, musician, or writer. But we'll fill this gap and introduce you to the remarkable Finnish artist Markku Laakso. He creates unusual, sometimes humorous paintings that are nonetheless imbued with the true spirit of Suomi. (Warning: Nudity.)
Markku Laakso was born in 1970 in Finland and spent his childhood in the north of the country, in a region with a rich and vibrant Sámi culture. However, from an early age, he was drawn to Western culture, particularly its iconic figures. Markku was particularly drawn to Elvis Presley, whose music his father loved.
Laakso also had a passion for pencils and paints from an early age. Guess who he drew? The artist says he created his first portrait of the King of Rock 'n' Roll at age 10. No one could have imagined that Elvis would become a key figure in Markku's work. The artist masterfully combines his roots with his love for the King.
That's why his paintings depict Presley among the Sami people, in snowy Finnish forests, and by picturesque lakes. It's hard to imagine what Elvis would have thought upon seeing the artist's creations. At the very least, he would have been surprised. Laakso places his childhood idol in the most unusual situations.
His king skis in the forest, sits with Sami girls by the fire, and fights monsters shoulder to shoulder with the heroes of national epics. It all seems strange, interesting, and very funny. But the artist is not simply entertaining the viewer. Elvis's image serves as a way to rethink more complex themes: the influence of popular culture on individuality, its interaction with local traditions, and our sense of self in these contexts.
Sámi traditions in Laakso's works are not merely decorative elements, but rather a starting point for reflection on the connection between the past and the present. His paintings are often filled with northern landscapes, traditional patterns, and scenes inspired by the lives of the Sámi people. Markku's paintings also feature many beautiful Finnish women, often completely nude.
Laakso is an artist who boldly unites opposites. His works bring together the past and the future, the local and the global, the personal and the collective. His art provokes reflection, debate, and the search for answers to difficult questions.
Ironic, profound, and utterly original, Markku Laakso manages to combine Sami traditions, pop culture, and personal memories in his works. His paintings evoke a smile, but behind them, they also provoke thought. What do you think: can pop culture icons become part of a national identity?