Gallen-Kallela Museum’s exhibition highlights the mediumistic art of Aleksandra Ionowa

Aleksandra Ionowa – Visions of the Spirit World and Peace (8 February – 1 June 2025)

The exhibition Aleksandra Ionowa – Visions of the Spirit World and Peace, opening at the Gallen-Kallela Museum, highlights a Finnish artist that few have even heard of.

Aleksandra Ionowa (1899–1980) was known by her inner circle as a remarkable mystic artist who was believed to play an important role in the spiritual development of humanity. They believe that Ionowa received an unexpected gift of art in the summer of 1946, despite having no previous experience or training. Just as the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862–1944), Ionowa made her art under the guidance of the spirit world. The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the history of both esotericism and mediumistic or visionary art in Finland.

The exhibition, implemented in collaboration with the Ionowa Foundation, is curated by Research Doctor Nina Kokkinen at Donner Institute, art historian who specialises in the study of esoteric  spirituality.

Seeker between cultures and religions

Although Aleksandra Ionowa’s family came from Russia, she spent most of her life in the Lahti region in Finland. Ionowa’s transnational identity compelled her to find answers in the spirit world to the conflicts between Finland and its eastern neighbour. She wanted to find a bridge between her two homelands and to intertwine her Theosophical worldview with Orthodox Christianity.

Early on, the artist and her life partner Selma Mäkelä (1892–1975) started to put together a carefully considered collection of over 1,200 works, which they wanted to preserve for posterity. The works depict creatures from the spirit world, clairvoyant visions, cosmic vibrations, states of the afterlife and the divinity concealed in the human soul. This unique collection of artworks acts as a spiritual diary, giving an insight into the fascinating lives of Ionowa and Mäkelä and into their worldview.

The exhibition sheds light on the cultural and historical context of Aleksandra Ionowa’s mediumistic and visionary art and the spiritual communities in which Ionowa and Mäkelä were active. It paints a picture of the previously unseen networks of women forged by Theosophists, Co-Masons and other women interested in spirituality in mid-20th century Finland. Ionowa’s inner circle also included Pekka Ervast, Finland’s best-known Theosophist, and Aino Kassinen, dubbed the nation’s number one clairvoyant, as well as a whole host of other interesting cultural and artistic figures, including author Elsa Heporauta, artist Ilona Harima and sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen.

Book on Ionowa to accompany the exhibition

The collaboration between the Gallen-Kallela Museum, Ionowa Foundation and Research Doctor Nina Kokkinen will also result in a non-fiction publication based on topical research. In addition to Kokkinen, the other experts in esotericism and visionary art who contributed to the book include Manon Hedenborg White (PhD), Nuppu Koivisto-Kaasik (PhD), Vivienne Roberts (MA), Tiina Tiilikainen (MA) and Elina Vuorimies (MA).

Press conference at the Gallen-Kallela Museum on Friday 7 February at 11am. We wish you a warm welcome!