In the Chaplain´s House

In the (In the Chaplain’s House) exhibition, the kitchen maid bustles about in the kitchen, arranging dishes. In the hall, the candle in the wall sconce has gone out. The baker wonders about Saint George’s struggle with the dragon. The chaplain is nowhere to be seen. The bed is empty. The flowers from the flower paintings have jumped out of their frames. Saints and flowers have taken over the house.

I have carved figurative sculptures from wood, inspired by the saint sculptures I have seen in churches and museums. I am especially drawn to the often clumsy forms of medieval sculptures (in Finland 1100–1520), and to a certain basic essence of humanity. Old saint sculptures tell something fundamental about being human, about human feelings and experiences. With my sculptures, I seek a similar connection to the core of humanity. I search for warmth and humanity.

While creating this exhibition, I have thought about the history of the Old Chaplain’s House. The history books have especially remembered the chaplains and bakery entrepreneurs, but the servants have been forgotten. Yet, maids and farmhands kept the chaplain and their family fed and cared for, and the bakers kneaded the dough. My exhibition is an imaginary moment from some time long ago.

Thank you to the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike).

– Nora Tapper