Gigantic Cow Sculptures Made From Recycled Car Parts

FINLAND – CULTURE — Helsinki-based sculptor Miina Äkkijyrkkä’s recycles large metal pieces to create sculptures of farm animals. Her CV reads: 1965-1966 Equine College Ypäjä; 1967-1968 Dairy Farming School of North-Savo; 1969-1973 The School of the Fine Arts of Finland. She has been working with cows for nearly 50 years.

Sculptor Miina Äkkijyrkkä is not often seen at formal government receptions with chandeliers and champagne. Rather the contrary; she is famed for banner headlines in the silly papers, and for her not infrequent encounters with law enforcement.

However, the 53-year-old sculptress was also recognised as a professional artist with a career spanning more than 30 years. She stepped up, dressed in a stylish black number and with her hair in the customary bun, to receive a State Art Award worth EUR 13,000 from the Minister of Culture Kaarina Dromberg (National Coalition).

In her speech, the artist thanked “the Heavenly Father” for any gifts of sensitivity, will, and passion she might have, and pointed out that no teachers had taught her very much. She also thanked all the men and women who have supported her, her children, and the “wonderful” scrap dealers, who have continuously provided her with material for her art, and whose absence at the reception she regretted.

As justification for this award, Minister Dromberg mentioned Äkkijyrkkä’s range as an artist from traditional sculpting to performance, from bronze to scrap metal, from drawings to tree roots. According to Dromberg, as an uncompromising, artistic individual
Äkkijyrkkä has managed to combine in her output elements often seen as contradictory, such as agriculture and “high” culture, the visual arts and cattle-raising, or performance art and the cherishing of traditions. Her undertakings, which have sometimes been splashed unceremoniously across the pages of the tabloids, have tested the public’s norms and moulded Äkkijyrkkä’s image as an artist.

Miina Äkkijyrkkä

Miina Äkkijyrkkä was also asked about receiving an award on a day when one thousand artists demonstrated in front of Parliament for more financial support, and when there is a support gathering for the homeless elsewhere in the city. The artist said the situation was dreadful. According to Miina Äkkijyrkkä, there is something seriously wrong with society when an artist has to participate in a demonstration for funding. If anything, Äkkijyrkkä chose her profession for its freedom. Where is that freedom now? Doubtless Kaarina Dromberg’s ears were burning at some of the artist’s remarks, but then Äkkijyrkkä is no stranger to controversy.

Sources: HS, materialicious

Read more news from Finland: Business News Finland

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Tags: Culture, Finland, Miina Äkkijyrkkä, sculptor

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