Contact:

Contact: fiona.veikkanen@gmail.com

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Extract

This is an extract from the exhibition catalogue for Blaze 6. I'm looking forward to including a lengthy little something on this show soon too.

Fiona Veikkanen Kit Out (part 2) 2012

The experience of art in everyday life also informs Fiona Veikkanen’s work. Her inventive ‘survival tools’ plead their own necessity, and that of art itself. The forms and materials she employs – canvas, old metal parts, inflatable mattresses - make them seem like they should be functional. They are not, of course, because art is about cultural survival. Veikkanen’s work will make you think, and it is built to endure. -Annika Harding and Alexander Boynes.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Coolcoolcool

I was thinking about the way every year when I go along to the annual opening of BLAZE at CCAS Gorman house I feel a sense of awe and wonder, ‘cos those artists are so damn cool.

This year it will be a little different.

My friend Mary said the best thing yesterday. I told her and Hannah how even though I’m a part of Blaze this year I’m just not as cool as the usual cool cats at Blaze each year!  She said it is simple to look cool and make making art look easy when all we see is the art finished. 
And it’s true. 
It’s not as though those guys didn’t have a wild time making that art with multiple failures and selected successes. When all we see is the finished product it’s easy to assume ease and coolcoolcool.
Being a CCAS resident this past year, and subsequently being a part of this Blaze has given me the inside story. The larger picture.  
There have been:

uncertainties
criticisms
worries
anticipation
freak outs
pig headedness
test pieces
crochet
painted trees
poppers
millions of suggestions
computers that don’t work
wild ideas
bad ideas
hot art that gives me shivers
stresses
excitement
talktalktalk
making like crazy.

I have seen the enormous amount of  sheer effort that goes into this show, the exciting, ugly and uncertain bits included.
Even though a certain amount of coolness and mystery won’t be a part of Blaze for me this year, I can’t wait for the celebration. I am looking forward to it more than ever!

Blaze 6



Blaze 6
 Featuring:
Dean Butters, Kate Barker, Helani Laisk, Bettina Hill, Ishak Masukor, Dan Lorrimer, Jonathan Webster, Fiona Veikkanen

Opening 6pm  Friday 17th Feb
Continues until 4th March 2012
Canberra Contemporary Art Space
Gorman House, 55 Ainslie Ave. Braddon. A.C.T.

Can't wait to see you there!

Friday, December 23, 2011

1601

1601 is the name of a bare penthouse apartment perched above the lake, as well as an ephemeral exhibition that happened there this week. It was a great opportunity to dust off some of my old art and whip up some new.
Squeeze, 2011. Alfoil, blu tack, thread, found objects.
Squeeze(detail), 2011. Alfoil, blu tack, thread, found objects.
Squeeze(detail), 2011. Alfoil, blu tack, thread, found objects.
Squeeze(detail), 2011. Alfoil, blu tack, thread, found objects.
Bags and Brushes, 2010. Vinyl, Canvas, found objects, sand .
Enjoying the art
The view

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Out of the Blue

Sometimes when I am having a hard day, a sad day, a long slow day I think about the incredible possibilities that crop up out of the blue. The kind of surprises that make my day.  
I received a phone call two days before the group exhibition 1601 opened, the curators themselves had only received permission for the show 3 days before opening! They scrambled to find just the right art for the show, and i was so happy to be included.  But what to include?
I listed my options. I love lists you know. Something old, something new, and a dash down to the shop to buy an enormous amount of blu tack later -and I knew.
You will know too if you head up to the exhibition- tomorrow is the last day! 
1601
The ApARTments, New Acton. level 16, Marcus Clarke St Canberra.
 Open 1-4pm

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Facial Freedom part 2

The location- Unit Concepts, Lonsdale Street Braddon, Canberra.
The Map
Facial Freedom (small) 2011. Lint, cotton, buckles, thread.
Facial Freedom (Medium) 2011. Lint, cotton, elastic, thread.
Facial Freedom (Large) 2011. Lint, cotton, buckles, thread.


Facial Freedom (Large) (detail) 2011. Lint, cotton, buckles, thread.
Facial Freedom (Large) (detail) 2011. Lint, cotton, buckles, thread.