Following a successful run at the ICA last year Tove Jansson: Tales From the Nordic Archipelago goes on tour across the UK from 2 April 2015 until 9 January 2016. The photography exhibition received a great deal of press and media attention during its launch in summer 2014 including Financial Times Critics' Choice and coverage in Harper's Bazaar, Monocle and BBC World to mention a few. The exhibition was co-curated by The Finnish Institute in London and ICA.

Tove Jansson (1914-2001), an accomplished Finnish author and artist, had a life every bit as fascinating as her famous creations, The Moomins. Originally curated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the artist, Tove Jansson: Tales From the Nordic Archipelago, draws an intimate portrait of her life on her private island in the archipelago of Finland, where Jansson regularly spent the summer months with her partner Tuulikki Pietilä.

Shot over a period of 60 years by the artist’s dear friend, renowned Finnish photographer C-G Hagström (b. 1940) and her brother, photographer, Per Olov Jansson (b. 1920), rare family photographs reveal a story of an extraordinary life.

“Tove’s work, illustrations and writing, convey warmth, optimism and joy as well as finding happiness in small, everyday things. It also encourages people to follow their own path”, says C-G Hagström.

The exhibition includes original photographs and material of Tove Jansson’s life and work, as well as illustrated books. Starting from 2 April, Tove Jansson: Tales from the Nordic Archipelago will be shown in three British galleries and museums as a part of the Reading Room programme of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA).

“There aren’t a lot of internationally published pictures of Tove. She usually hated photographers and reporters, but we were soul mates. Her warm and open personality inspired me to take softer pictures of people,” C-G Hagström describes.

There will be a workshop event with a Finnish guest artist as part of the exhibition at each location.

Tove Jansson: Tales From the Nordic Archipelago tour and workshop dates:

2 April – 27 June
Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, Sandwell
The first workshop, Design Your Own Island, will be hosted by Petri Kaverma 19 May. He is a Finnish artist and curator who's forms of expression have varied from photography and video to mixed-media sculptures.
www.kaverma.fi

11 July – 20 September
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent
Anni Nykänen is a comic artist, who has become famous for her grandmother character. “The granny” has performed in magazines as well as three books the artist has dedicated exclusively for her. The theme of Nykänen’s upcoming workshop is comic illustration.
mummo.sarjakuvablogit.com

26 September – 9 January
Huddersfield Art Gallery, Huddersfield
In addition to printmaking, Elina Rantasuo, mixes sound, video and installation in her work. The tradition of printmaking can be seen in her art in the repetition of elements and the sensitivity of working with various materials. Rantasuo’s workshop in Huddersfield will focus on designing artist books.
www.elinarantasuo.com