2022
ceramics installation
stoneware, porcelain, sewn fabric
exhibited at Beta Space Gallery, Espoo, Finland
Before the spread of Christianity in Finland, people used to believe in elves. Traditions surrounding these beliefs remained strong until the 20th century. Elves were considered guardian spirits of homes, saunas, and other buildings, who helped with chores and prevented accidents. It was important to keep the elves friendly by respecting them and serving them food.
Elves lived in stones and logs, and to move an elf from one home to another, stones, bricks or logs from the old house had to be brought to the new house. The move could also be made using soil or ashes from the fireplace.
The work has inspired by the mythology of elves collected in the book Tonttu — Tarua ja totta by Saure, H. (2021), Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.
Aino Elina Ojala 