Paintings by world-famous Moomins creator Tove Jansson on show in Finland

Paintings by the world-famous Moomins creator Tove Jansson are on show in Finland. The exhibition at the Helsinki Art Museum marks the 80th anniversary of the publication of Jansson’s book The Moomins and the Great Flood, which introduced the creatures to the world. Prior to the success of the Moomins, Jansson first made a name for herself as a talented artist who painted on commission in public spaces during the 1940s and 1950s. The exhibition features her public murals, including sketches that were found in her studio and have never before been shown to the public. “This exhibition at HAM—Helsinki Art Museum—is special because it’s the first time we can see the wholeness of Tove Jansson’s all public artworks that she has ever made,” says Heli Harni, curator of the exhibition. Five original murals and several competition paintings, as well as photographic reproductions of works that couldn’t be moved to the museum, are displayed at the exhibition called Paradise. Harni hopes the exhibition will show visitors Jansson’s creative versatility. “It’s a bit different than her storytelling in her books. And as we know, Moomin books and the story of Moomins going and building their own Paradise in the Moomin Valley,” she says. The exhibition also features a display of early edition Moomin books. “It is the jubilee year of the first Moomin book, as we know The Moomins and the Great Flood. And this theme is kind of connected to also this exhibition. And we have also here animation from the first book,” says Harni. While an exhibition dedicated to Tove Jansson must of course refer to the Moomins, the focus is centered on her public works for factory walls, hospitals and nurseries. Jansson’s works, some with hidden Moomins, will be on display in Helsinki until April 2025 before some of the creations depart for Japan on a two-year tour. This article was provided by The Associated Press.