By Meeri Koskialho

It was a cold winter day on Lauttasaari island of Helsinki when I sat down with American visual artist Alex Markwith to discuss creative living in the Northern hemisphere at the time of global pandemic. Last fall Alex sold all his furniture and donated most of his art studio supplies in order to leave New York City and relocate in Finland. Together with his partner (she’s Finnish) and a rescue dog (he’s Texan) they enjoy nature and a slower pace of life. His first solo exhibition in Finland just closed and a new one is on the way. 

What made you decide to move to Finland?

The idea of living in Europe had long been of interest to me. I spent six months in Rome while a student, and during my senior year of art school I applied for a Fulbright grant, hoping to move to Berlin. I was rejected, but a year later I had a solo show in Paris which scratched the itch. In the back of my mind I sometimes wondered how and when I would get back to Europe, though for years I was convinced that New York was the best place to be as a visual artist.

So, why move now and why Finland?  

Well, I had the option, and the pandemic was the real tipping point. My partner is Finnish and we had previously talked about moving to Europe together one day. However, prior to COVID it was just an idea.

How was it to arrange an international move during this uncertain time?

It took a few months to organize everything. I applied for a residence permit as soon as we had the idea that we might move. We did everything quickly, anticipating the constantly changing travel restrictions. It was difficult to get a flight, and had we waited, we would have lost that window.

 Other than my artwork, clothes were the biggest thing we had to transport. Both of us having worked in fashion, we had a lot of clothes. We shipped several boxes primarily of coats, denim and shoes. And books. Everything else we sold or donated. 

Falco, our small rescue dog, needed his travel papers. He rode with us in the cabin, with no complaints during a long layover in Frankfurt. We brought his toys and other belongings with us to help him adapt, which he did immediately.

Regarding the studio, I brought as many supplies as I could. Others had to be abandoned. I was able to pack dozens of smaller works in a suitcase, and I shipped a crate of larger works by boat, which arrived safely in November after nine weeks in transit.

ARTISTIC LIVING IN FINLAND

Now that you have lived in Finland for several months, could you tell what are some differences working as an artist in NYC compared to Helsinki?

I have felt more freedom and energy for creative thoughts here. I think it is because I left a lot behind in New York. 

Finland has several grant programs for artists. I received a grant from Taike for artists who have been economically impacted by COVID. That helped me to rent my studio and produce works for my solo exhibition in Helsinki month.

I was accepted to Taidemaalariliitto - I still have difficulty pronouncing that! - which is an active union for professional visual artists. It provides a huge amount of information and helps to navigate various available opportunities. Right now I have three works including in their annual event called Teosvälitys, which is essentially an art fair for members. Attendance is limited due to the pandemic, but the works are also available online.

Helsinki itself is obviously smaller than New York. But I am very impressed by the amount of art in Helsinki relative to its size. There are many galleries and several museums that show contemporary work - Kiasma, HAM, Amos Rex, EMMA.

What do you enjoy about Finnish culture?

I am impressed by the selection of smoked salmon!  

You are coming from the United States and you lived in NYC during the lockdown. What kind of observations did you make about the pandemic response in Finland?

What I first noticed off the plane was the relative lack of COVID-related restrictions, compared to NYC when I left. Businesses were open, including bars and restaurants. Wearing a mask is a “recommendation”; unlike NYC, you cannot get fined for choosing not to comply. This surprised me a lot, considering Finland’s reputation for having more restrictions in general. Still, remember the infection rate and deaths as a percentage of the population are much lower in Finland than in the States. Why that is, I don’t think anyone knows.

Is there anything you miss from NYC?

Ask me again in a few years. But for now, I miss the restaurants. In NYC, you do not have sushi buffets. Here it is hard to find a sushi restaurant that is not a buffet. In NYC, no matter what cuisine you want, some of the best in the world is available just a subway ride away. 

Does the world famous Finnish cold and dark season get to you?

Growing up in Pennsylvania and living in NYC, there were sometimes brutal winters. You might get a meter of snow every couple of years, but it was rare. In Helsinki, it is snowing every week, and the cold is on another level. A few weeks ago it hit negative 16 (Farenheit).

I really enjoy the sauna. I believe it helps to build tolerance for cold.

The dark season is over now, but I actually found it very good for art-making. I have always liked to work at night, and I rented a studio here with no windows. I prefer artificial light for painting because it is more consistent. Many times in December I went to the studio at 7 or 8pm (after it had been dark for 4 hours already), closed the door and forgot about the weather.

ELEMENTAL TRANSMISSIONS 

You just had your first solo exhibition in Finland. Congratulations! Could you tell me more about it?

Firstly, I was lucky to exhibit in a wonderful space, the cellar gallery at Laterna Magica in Helsinki. The gallery has a ton of character and is totally unlike anywhere else I’ve exhibited. I had three rooms. The walls are brick and the floor in one room is bedrock formed during the ice age. The concept for the show, which I titled “Elemental Transmissions”, emerged as a direct response to my first impression when I entered the space. I read a lot about the classical elements in Greek philosophy, and how alchemy developed in the Middle Ages as a forerunner to modern chemistry.

How did the work come together and apart from the space, what inspired you? You mentioned that most of your art supplies were left behind, so sounds like you had to start from a scratch. 

The change in environment was definitely influential, in several ways. For one, because many things were new to me here, and also because I had more access to nature. A lot of the wood was collected in the forest on Lauttasaari. I was very interested in the combination of natural and artificial materials, and how that fit in with my “alchemy” concept. These works were created during the dark season in Finland, between November and January. The transitioning year became a secondary focal point for my concept. In alchemy, the goal is a process of purification in which lead can be transformed into gold. To me that struck a chord with the idea of leaving 2020 behind, and longing for a better New Year.

I found many supplies through flea markets, recycling centers and, most importantly, donations. Several friends emerged who had a lot of “junk” they wanted to get rid of (fabric scraps, plywood, unused art supplies, car parts, tools) which helped me build a stockpile. I am very grateful to them. 

Could you share any words of encouragement to struggling artists in NYC and beyond?

You must always be actively looking for new opportunities. This past year we learned that the world is always changing and there will be difficult times. But even when it seems like things are slow, or nothing is going as planned, put in the studio time because in the end that is what will carry you to the next breakthrough. Commit to making exactly the work you want to make, and push yourself creatively a little further every time a new project comes up.

Talking about a new project, you are already working for the next one which is fashion related. That’s exciting, tell us more. 

In April, I will have another solo exhibition. This time it will be at the Max Mara store in Helsinki city center, and it will include large canvases created specifically for this location. There will be an installation in the window display facing Aleksanterinkatu. It is an exciting opportunity for me which will bring my work outside the traditional gallery context. I have shown my work in a retail fashion environment before, but this will be my largest such collaboration to date.

After the interview, Alex confirmed he has an upcoming exhibition at Makers’ Gallery in Vaasa May 24 - June 12, 2022. To stay updated, check out his website https://alexmarkwith.com/  and follow him on Instagram @alexmarkwith