The Särestöniemi Museum
Administrative and reception center at Särestöniemi
Reidar Särestöniemi (1925-1981) is one of Finland's best known 20th century artists. During the third quarter of the twentieth century he was acclaimed and vilified for both his work and personality.
Except for periods of study in Helsinki and Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Särestöniemi lived on his family farm near Kaukonen a few kilometers south of Kittila. This farm is now a museum for both his art and Lappish rural life.
Särestöniemi's characteristic art blends abstract expressionism with symbolic primitivism in a burst of color uncommon in mid-twentieth century Finnish art. His subject matter, when identifiable, comes from the Lappish countryside - mainly landscapes and animals.
The massive log museum building was built by Sarestoniemi to display his works. Inside he included not only gallery space, but also a sauna and swimming pool! On the grounds and open to visitors is his studio that also contains many of his paintings as well as Särestöniemi's residence. Old Särestö, the family homeplace, dating to the late 19th century, is restored and open as a look into the old Lappish farm life.
Scenes from the Sarestoniemi Gallery
Place cursor over thumbnails below to see more images
The gallery is a grand and bold as the paintings themselves. This view is from the upstairs balcony.
