Stranding

We are pleased to announce that Sara Bjarland °1981 installed her work “Stranding” for the Helsinki Biennial at the beautiful island of Vallisaari.
The work consists of seven sculptures, spread out on the cliffs next to the sea, and takes its shape from inflatable swimming toys. The objects are cast in bronze, locking them into a permanent form. The installation brings an ironic and playful twist to the ever-growing presence of plastic waste by transforming it into permanent sculptures that simultaneously pay homage to the creatures they mimic. The work reflects on the relationship between nature and culture, human behaviour and its impact on the environment and all living things.

After its premiere at Helsinki Biennial 2025, “Stranding” will be installed as a permanent public artwork in Helsinki’s urban space.

The third edition of the Helsinki Biennial is curated by Kati Kivinen and Blanca de la Torre. It opened to the public on Sunday 8th of June and runs until 29th of September.

We invite you all to come to Helsinki to discover Sara’s work and that of all the other brilliant artists like Maria Thereza Alves (BR/DE), Band of Weeds (FI), Ana Teresa Barboza (PE), Sissel M Bergh (Sápmi/NO), Saskia Calderón (EC), Edgar Calel (GT), Tania Candiani (MX), Regina de Miguel (ES/DE), Olafur Eliasson (DK/IS), Carola Grahn (Saepmie/SE), Tue Greenfort (DK), Kalle Hamm (FI) & Dzamil Kamanger (IR/FI), Tamara Henderson (CA/AU), Gunzi Holmström (FI), Katie Holten (IE/US), Ingela Ihrman (SE), Geraldine Javier (PH), Aluaiy Kaumakan (TW), Kristiina Koskentola (FI/NL), Yayoi Kusama (JP), Jenni Laiti (FI/SE) & Carl-Johan Utsi (SE), LOCUS / Thale, Blix Fastvold & Tanja Thorjussen (NO), nabbteeri (FI), Ernesto Neto (BR), Otobong Nkanga (NG/BE), Giuseppe Penone (IT), Laura Põld (EE/AT), Marjetica Potrč (SI), Kati Roover (EE/FI), Hans Rosenström (FI), Paul Rosero Contreras (EC), Raimo Saarinen (FI), Pia Sirén (FI), Theresa Traore Dahlberg (SE/BF), Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas (LT/US), Juan Zamora (ES).