Ateneum Art Museum

29 apr.
1 min läsning

Arcana Borealis – Northern Women and Esotericism 23 oct 2026–28 feb 2027, Helsinki, Finland

The exhibition is the first showcase of the work of Northern women artists who have been influenced by alternative spiritual currents. The exhibition is groundbreaking, as the profound connection between modern art and esotericism, occultism and magic has previously been explored mainly through famous men artists.

The exhibition features both well-known and overlooked artists from the 19th century to the present day, including Britta Marakatt-Labba, Anna-Eva Bergman, Anna Cassel, Ilona Harima, Sonja Ferlov Mancoba, Maja Fjaestad, Hilma af Klint, Iria Leino, Outi Pieski, Laila Pullinen, Elga Sesemann and Ellen Thesleff.

The exhibition features approximately 50 women artists from the Northern region, including Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Sápmi. In the exhibition, the North is presented as a cross-border entity, shaped by its own geography and imagery, that transcends the nation state.

Arcana Borealis highlights how esotericism, occultism and other alternative spiritual currents have become part of the artistic expression and everyday life of the artists. The key themes of the exhibition include the relationship between spirit and matter, questions related to life after death and the existence of the spirit world, and the aim to live in harmony with nature. The exhibition is curated by Nina Kokkinen, a researcher of art and religion (University of Turku, until 31 July 2026 the Donner Institute), and Marja Lahelma, chief curator at the Ateneum.