Stubb takes liking to Kaj Stenvall’s duck paintings

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By Sirpa Pääkkönen
     
      The walls of the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) at the Foreign Ministry in Katajanokka in Helsinki are now adorned by two duck paintings by artist Kaj Stenvall. One of the paintings, Union Reverse from 1994, is now accompanied by Hyvää maailmanpolitiikan arkipäivää (“Have a Nice Day in World Politics”), which the Foreign Minister commissioned himself.
      “I want to have Finnish art on the wall, because alongside sports, Finland is known around the world for its art”, Stubb says.
     
In the new work, a smiling duck dressed in a fine garment leans on a book. Light comes in through the window, and in the background there is a globe with a NATO logo. The duck’s clothes are ornamented by the stars of the EU and a peace sign.
      “The window symbolises the new openness of foreign policy, NATO is there because NATO has a new global role. The peace sign is a reference to the predecessor of my predecessor - Erkki Tuomioja. I also use the word peace as a slogan. It is appropriate to the spirit of the Foreign Ministry.”
     
Stenvall says that the painting deliberately has positive feeling and layering. The filing cabinet behind the duck alludes to the past, to history and experience.
      When he started out as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stubb wanted a fresher, more contemporary appearance to the office where he works. The old historical works were taken away. In addition to Stenvall’s works, the office contains the painting Metsän salaisuus (“Secret of the Forest”) by Osmo Rauhala.
      Stubb is happy to be able to tell his international guests about Finnish artists.
      "Art is a part of the creation of an image of Finland in the world. Sometimes I have the feeling that as Foreign Minister I do not give enough praise to Finnish artists for what they do on behalf of Finland."
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 10.3.2009


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Kaj Stenvall website

SIRPA PÄÄKKÖNEN / Helsingin Sanomat
sirpa.paakkonen@hs.fi