Ausstellung: Annu Mikkilä - Self and selflessness (Di - Sa)

21.1.-1.2.2025
Annu Mikkilä - Self and selflessness

Vernissage: Tue 21.1. 3-7 pm
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 3-7 pm

Galerie Pleiku
Eugen-Schönhaar-Strasse 6a
10407 Berlin

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My body feels heavy like metal - heavy and worn, alien like abandoned scrap in a junkyard. No one knows its hidden history or how the scratches and marks on its weathered surface came about.

I fell ill at age 27, just as my artistic career was taking off. A rare autonomic disorder of the nervous system, unrecognized by health care, led to years of struggles for treatment and understanding. Finally, a doctor identified my illness: POTS syndrome - an autonomic disorder that can completely paralyze life, similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). The long-term consequences of Covid-19 following a viral infection have significantly increased the number of people suffering from such autonomic disorders of the nervous system.

The exhibition spans from my most serious illness to recovery and tells a story of escape into nature and survival. After moving from Helsinki to a small forest house, I retreated from the world that had made me ill. In this refuge, rehabilitation began through countless painful, lonely days. I aspired to my dream of motherhood, which remained unattainable due to my illness. The surrounding nature supported me through these long days, months and years by offering comfort, understanding and acceptance. In my artistic work, I explore the healing process through personal experiences, observing the effects of sudden changes and how to survive when life falls apart. I wonder why we have created an environment in which neither nature nor ourselves can thrive.

I work with metal, ceramics and video installations.

***

My body feels heavy like metal - weighty and worn, foreign like abandoned scrap in a junkyard. No one knows its concealed story or how the scratches and marks appeared on its weathered surface.

I fell ill at 27, just as my artistic career was beginning. A rare autonomic nervous system disorder, unrecognized by healthcare, began years of struggle for treatment and understanding. Finally, a doctor identified my illness: POTS syndrome - an autonomic disorder that can completely paralyze life, similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The long covid post-viral condition has significantly increased the number of people suffering from such autonomic nervous system disorders.

The exhibition spans from my deepest illness to recovery, telling a story of escape into nature and survival. Moving from Helsinki to a small forest house, I withdrew from the world that had made me ill. In this sanctuary, rehabilitation began through countless painful, lonely days. I journeyed towards my dream of motherhood, which remained impossible due to my illness. The surrounding nature supported me through these long days, months, and years, providing comfort, understanding, and acceptance. In my artistic work, I examine the healing process through personal experience, observing the effects of sudden transformation and how to survive when life turns upside down. I question why we've built an environment where neither nature nor we ourselves can thrive.

I work with metal, ceramics, and video installations.

***