Kaarina Kaikkonen's 'Unfolding Hope' at Rome's Sara Zanin Gallery
At the Sara Zanin Gallery in Rome, the solo exhibition 'Unfolding Hope' by Finnish artist Kaarina Kaikkonen (born 1952) showcases her exploration of family relationships through textiles, shoes, and personal artifacts. Among the highlighted works are 'The Queen of the Night' (2024), 'Soon I Will Depart, Maybe' (2025), and 'Layers of Life' (2025). The piece 'I Need My Past' (2025) reflects her views on history, while gold details on aged fabrics signify spiritual upliftment. Titles such as 'Unfolding Hope' (2025) and 'Neverending Stories' (2025) emphasize the acceptance of transformation. Simultaneously, Argentine artist Josefina Ayllón (born 1973) displays two decades of her work in the project space, featuring portraits that symbolize a collective suffering.
Key facts
- Kaarina Kaikkonen's solo exhibition 'Unfolding Hope' at Sara Zanin Gallery in Rome
- Works use textiles, shoes, everyday objects, and personal memorabilia
- Exhibition includes pieces: 'The Queen of the Night' (2024), 'Soon I Will Depart, Maybe' (2025), 'Layers of Life' (2025), 'I Need My Past' (2025)
- 'The Queen of the Night' addresses the artist's relationship with her mother by transforming shoes into a floral inflorescence
- 'Soon I Will Depart, Maybe' depicts the artist as a butterfly in a cocoon symbolizing paternal embrace
- 'Layers of Life' reflects on quantum interconnectedness
- 'I Need My Past' is a pyramidal installation of garments representing metabolizing the past
- Gold accents on worn fabrics symbolize spiritual elevation
- Concurrent exhibition: first solo show of Josefina Ayllón at z2o project space
- Josefina Ayllón is an Argentine self-taught painter born 1973
- Ayllón's paintings have a sculptural quality, best viewed from lateral angles
Entities
Artists
- Kaarina Kaikkonen
- Josefina Ayllón
Institutions
- Sara Zanin Gallery
- z2o project space
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Iisalmi
- Finland
- Argentina
- Aventino