Helsinki and the Bukowskis exhibition
The first time I was in Helsinki it was before Finland joined the EU. I found the town of Helsinki very different from Stockholm. Maybe because Sweden is a Scandinavian Country and Finland is a Nordic one. The architecture of the town and the people fascinated me . I got the feeling that I was living a previous life there. The magnificent park of Kaivo Puisto and many places in the old town where for some reason very familiar to me, I was dreaming with open eyes.
Little by little I got many friends there so I started to consider Finland and Helsinki absolutely one of my favourite places because I was feeling very welcome.
With the help of Italian Culture Institute and Italian Embassy I made the first exhibition in town a long time ago, and it was a success. Finnish art lovers and collectors are very interested in Italian art in general and some of them have a real passion for art and history from my country.
Well known Swedish- Finnish architect Kaisa Bloomstedt and her Architect friend Päivi Bergroth became very enthusiastic about my style and I had the privilege to work with them for a long time, decorating public and private spaces with my art. I also worked with Wladimir & Maja Tomewsky Studio. They ran a company of interior design and chose my art to decorate the interiors of two big ships from Silja Line, Serenade and Symphony connecting daily the cities of Stockholm with Helsinki.
Alvar Aalto, Eero and Eliel Sarinen, Akseli Gallen-Kallela and many other artists have been my favourite Finnish artists. I believe The Finnish design style is one of the best in the world.
To understand the Spirit of a society you should experience the night life and the rituals of the people. In a night club late one evening, I met Mr Heikki Lehtosaari and his lovely companion "Donna Farfalla". During the years they have been faithful friends of mine, and have followed and encouraged my career in Finland with affection and dedication.
The first of May is the day of my birthday, the perfect time to celebrate a very big event in Finland called "Vappu" when the town of Helsinki becomes a huge party place from dawn till dusk.
My reputation reached the top in 1998, the year when Auctioneer Company Bukowskis of Helsinki invited me to exhibit paintings and ceramics made in Vietri sul Mare (Salerno) Italy, in their Robertinkatu show rooms. It was an immediate success. I was very proud to be the first foreign artist to be invited since the company started.
The Finnish people and the town of Helsinki are permanently in my heart the time I spent there was very precious, I have learn the spirit of the Finn and I am proud to feel so close to their magical land.
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