Restorated Boys and Other Sculptures
“They aren’t unambiguously endearing nor are they stuffed animals; they are likable, though, and to top it all off, they somehow look authentic.”
Martta Heikkilä, Mustekala.info, May 25, 2009
“The most delightful series of works is […] Johanna Havimäki’s army of orcs. These creatures, molded from leather jackets, are such likable little rascals that they awaken maternal instincts.”
Kaisa Heinänen, Helsingin Sanomat, June 10, 2011
“Strange creatures […] indescribable animal figures […] lively creatures […]”
Katri Kovasiipi, Aamulehti, June 11, 2011
“The works take on a more serious tone due to the fact that they are made of leather that once belonged to an animal […].”
Sakari Hatakka, Tero Hautamäki, Ilkka, October 30, 2012
Charge Difference, 2017
Mr. Green, from the series Episode, 2012
Mr. Red, from the series Episode, 2012, Hämeenlinna Art Museum Collection
Dog, 2013, commission
The One who Bears the Burden, 2018, image: Ville Mäkilä/WAM
Detail of Owners / Second Floor, 2015–2023
”Johanna Havimäki reverse-engineers garments of leather and fur to create often toy-like, even cartoonish sculptural representation of the animals that provided the raw materials. The playful nature of imagery, and the traditionally feminine skills involved, stand in the contrast to the brutal masculinity of hunting and killing.”
Aidan Dunne, The Irish Times, 14.10.2016
Two Olds, 2016, commission
Matti Ilmari, from the series Restorated Boys, 2011
Where We Left off, 2012
Toivo Ilmari, from the series Restorated Boys, 2011
Töpö, 2013, commission
Modial from Alinen at Rajatila Gallery 2010