Snow and Icescape

A SEASONAL exhibition opens at Weisdale’s Bonhoga Gallery on Saturday when the extraordinary work of Finnish sculptor Timo Jokela goes on display.

Northern Traces shows a decade of work by the native of Lapland and reflects the indigenour Sami culture of the region in his studies in wood, willow, stone, ice, water and snow.

The exhibition documents selected projects and commissions undertaken over the past ten years, with photographs, collages and a large floor sculpture.

They range from monumental sculptures in the Arctic landscape, to fully operational hotels built entirely from snow and ice.

Gallery curator Mary Smith said: “It is inspiring to see snow and ice used in these dramatic works. A snowy landscape is often beautiful, but with the effect snow has on our daily lives it is often viewed in a negative way.”

Jokela will be working with pupils in Shetland schools during next week, which may result in some new phenomena appearing in the islands landscape during his visit.

The exhibition runs until 7 March and all are invited to the preview at 7.30pm on Friday night, which will be attended by the artist and his collaborator Glen Coutts of the University of Strathclyde.