We know Estonia
18.2.2024 | Culture

Viggo and Heljä Wallensköld joint exhibition in Pärnu

Text Susanna Poikela
Photos Pärnu Museum of New Art

Viggo and Heljä Wallensköld joint exhibition in Pärnu

 

Viggo Wallensköld and his mother Heljä Wallensköld’s art exhibition “Roots and Blossoms” opened a week ago at the Pärnu Museum of New Art. The mother and son duo are organising a joint exhibition for the first time, and the home region of Viggo’s grandmother, Ilse, was chosen as the location.

Ilse, who was a farm girl from Olland, near Pärnu, went to study agriculture in Finland at a young age and remained there after she married a Finnish man. The union gave birth to Heljä, Viggo’s mother.

Viggo Wallensköld’s (1969) breakthrough came in 2002, when he won the Dukattti art prize of the Finnish Art Association. In 2005, he was chosen as the best young artist of the year. Not long ago, he applied for the Ars Fennica prize and in 2022 was chosen as the public’s favorite artist in the spring exhibition related to the nomination.

Viggo’s biggest exhibitions to date were held in 2008–2009 at the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, and in 2022–2023 at the Helsinki Art Museum.

The Wallenskölds have collected a large number of portraits and landscapes for the joint exhibition in which symbolism has been subtly used. Heljä (1943) lives in Porvoo and still paints every morning. This exhibition is dedicated to finding ones roots.

The exhibition “Roots and Blossoms” will remain on display at the Pärnu Museum of New Art until March 31.

 

 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Art Art Exhibition Heljä Wallensköld Helsinki Art Museum Juret ja Kukat Pärnu Museum of New Art Viggo Wallensköld

19.8.2026 | Culture

Brainstorm in Concert

Brainstorm in Concert

In the year 2000, a relatively unknown band from a relatively unknown country at the time captured the hearts of … Read more

18.8.2026 | Culture

Night of Ancient Lights and KopliFest

Night of Ancient Lights and KopliFest

What used to be a heavily industrial district in northern Tallinn is rapidly developing into a cultural centre akin to … Read more

17.8.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

18–23 August City Days and Food Street, Võru The city of Võru, located on the shores of Lake Tamula, celebrates … Read more

16.8.2026 | Culture

Airbourne in Concert

Airbourne in Concert

Airbourne is an Australian band that is self-described as a “hard rock powerhouse”. They will perform in Tallinn’s Helitehas venue … Read more

14.8.2026 | Culture

Tastes of Narva 2026

Tastes of Narva 2026

Narva in the northeast corner of Estonia is one of the most up-and-coming places in Estonia, so what better way … Read more

13.8.2026 | Culture

Museum Guide for the Day of Restoration of Independence

Museum Guide for the Day of Restoration of Independence

Thursday, 20 August marks the 35th anniversary of the Day of Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Estonia, and … Read more

13.8.2026 | Culture

Am I Seeing Things, or Has My Picture Been Photoshopped?

Am I Seeing Things, or Has My Picture Been Photoshopped?

The visual world around us is constantly changing. Watching the social media habits of my friends’ children and my own … Read more

12.8.2026 | Culture

Tallinn Chamber Music Festival 2026

Tallinn Chamber Music Festival 2026

The 22nd Tallinn Chamber Music Festival will take place from 22–29 August 2026 under the theme “Bridges of Folklore”. The … Read more