Finland is called Suomi in the Finnish language. Kalevala, the Finnish national epic poem, is based on Suomi oral storytelling traditions, and was first published in the 19th century.
I gained a little understanding of Kalevala by reading English translations by John Martin Crawford. This epic poem has inspired Finnish artists and bolstered Finnish identity, and while I was in Helsinki, at Cable Factory, it also inspired this Grenadian artist.
8 boats in a fountain, Feutersoey, Switzerland. Collaboration by Timo Rytkönen and Suelin Low Chew Tung, 2017. Photo: SLCT
To follow the 2017 collaborative project 8 Boats in a Fountain, with Finn artist artist Timo Rytkönen, I created new artworks based on the patterns on the floor of D3 at Cable Factory—patterns imprinted and gouged by the building’s former life as a marine cable factory—and paper boats. I formed paper boats from recycled napkins, and photographed them against the textured floor. The mixed media works are collages of the photos with handmade Nepal paper, pastels and acrylic paint, courtesy fellow artist Ulla Kuronen from the Farbe Oy artist supply store at Cable Factory.
As I extracted names for the new works from Crawford’s translations, it occurred to me that Grenada does not have an epic poem that could help frame national identity.
From the Kelavala series, D3 Cable Factory, Helsinki. Photo: SLCT
Taking artistic licence, I compared Jookootoo I—a poem by Christopher De Riggs, known then as Brother Cudjoe—with Kalevala. Both poems explore themes of cultural identity, connection to land and nature, struggle for autonomy, and resilience in the face of challenges.
Kalevala reflects the cultural identity of the Finnish people through folklore, traditional ways of life, customs, beliefs, and values of Finnish culture, their deep connection to the natural environment, and historical struggles for sovereignty and self-governance. Jookootoo I portrays the journey and struggles of Grenada over four centuries, capturing our resilience and defiance against British colonial rule, from enslavement to the aftermath of independence, and the shift from loyalty to colonial powers to a growing consciousness of self-determination and empowerment. For a Small Island Developing State, this is epic.
Digital work based on the floor at D3 Cable Factory, Helsinki and Jookootoo I. Photo: SLCT
I left the physical works at Cable Factory, however, a digitally created one that reflects my extraction from Jookootoo I, marks the beginning of a series inspired by De Riggs’ epic poem, and gives thought to the concept of a Grenada national epic poem.