The Saari Invited Artist

From 2013 to 2020, seven Saari Invited Artists worked at Saari Residence during eight-month individual residency periods. From 2023 to 2025, the Saari Invited Artist programme operated in a renewed form. For each two-month individual residency period, the residency invited one artist or artist-researcher whose work focused on a different ecological question.

The Saari Invited Artist’s primary task has been to work on their own artistic and research practice. Saari Invited Artists have shared their artistic expertise on various ecological questions by eliciting insights from residents staying at Saari through discussions or their own artistic work. They have also been able to bring out their perspectives and expertise through their art or research topic. The Saari Invited Artist position is not open to applications.

“The purpose of the Saari Invited Artist programme has been to generate perspectives on ecological thinking and to enable insights through artistic work and discussion. Sometimes new insights come about in an instant, while at other times they require more time to take shape. The Saari Invited Artist programme has been meeting at the Saari Well to explore ecological issues. It has provided residency groups with ways to deepen their ecological thinking and examine their connection to nature, while also enabling the Saari Invited Artist’s own artistic work with the group’s support,” says Residency Director Leena Kela.

Saari Invited Artists 2025

In 2025, the Saari Invited Artists included Riikka Talvitie, Susanna Hast and Daphne Dragona.

Saari Invited Artists 2024

In 2024, the Saari Invited Artists included Ilja Lehtinen, Lada Suomenrinne, FRAUD and Veli Lehtovaara.

Saari Invited Artists 2023

In 2023, the Saari Invited Artists included Tamara Colchester, Mari Keski-Korsu, colectivo amasijo and Edd Carr.

Read more about the Saari Invited Artists

Stories of Matter at the Saari Residence

“Let’s forget about understanding and focus on responsibility instead” – Susanna Hast is seeking an alternative to the therapy generation’s mother relationship

Composing with trees – an interview with Riikka Talvitie

Veli Lehtovaara listens to places with his whole body

Can we think with a place without it having imprinted us?

Interpreter of plants and animal tracks – Interview with Tamara Colchester

Understanding the language of alpacas and micro-organisms – Interview with Mari Keski-Korsu

Amasijo, Acorns, Aurajoki: A Recipe That Calls for a River

Towards more ecologically sustainable photography – an interview with artist Edd Carr

Ilja Lehtinen and the experience of oil:

Lived utopia and love for the earth – an interview with Lada Suomenrinne

Previous Saari Invited Artists

From 2013 to 2020, the Saari Invited Artist programme was intended for artists who had previously worked at the Saari Residence and were invited to a longer individual residency for eight months. Previous Saari Invited Artists include Jaakko Niemelä 2013–2014, Jonimatti Joutsijärvi 2014–2015, Hanneriina Moisseinen 2015–2016, Matthew Cowan 2016–2017, Kristiina Drews 2017–2018, Kevin Doyle 2018–2019 and Essi Kausalainen 2019–2020.

Essi Kausalainen will throw herself into the unknown during her residency

Kevin Doyle is a playwright who composes with a space

Kristiina Drews wants to highlight the importance of translated literature

Matthew Cowan examines the carnivalesque in folkore

Hanneriina Moisseinen illustrates history through a multi-voiced narrative

Jonimatti Joutsijärvi and fascinating processes