Akseli’s Africa Through the Eyes of a Kenyan Researcher Seminar at Gallen-Kallela Museum and online on Saturday 15th April 12pm – 2pm
How does the Africa recorded in Akseli’s paintings, photographs and memoirs appears to contemporary researchers?
Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931) lived and worked together with his family in present-day Kenya during the years 1909–10. Gallen-Kallela kept house in the Nairobi area, current capital of Kenya, and as a part of his travels recorded the life and scenery of the British East Africa of his time. Gallen-Kallela saw East Africa as a virginal paradise where he could fulfill his dreams and paint. Yet the time was overshadowed by trophy hunting and poor treatment of locals by the European colonisers.
The discussion is held with researchers Lydia Gatundu Galavu and Mercy Gakii from the National Museums of Kenya as well as museum director Tuija Wahlroos and exhibition manager Anne Pelin from Gallen-Kallela Museum. All speakers of the event have contributed to exhibition publication with articles.
You can join the seminar in person at Gallen-Kallela Museum or online through a link. The seminar is held both in Finnish and in English.
Join us via Teams at 12 pm – 2 pm (Helsinki timezone UTC+3):