The earliest of them is Omakuva (Self-portrait, 1920) from the early part of her career, while the most recent of them, watercolours of flowers, are signed in 1986 when the artist was nearly 90 years old. Aira Hellaakoski (formerly Helaakoski) was the sister of poet Aaro Hellaakoski. In addition to her artistic work, she was an art and weaving teacher.
Aira Hellaakoski: Summer in the Archipelago, Vaasa (detail), 1971, acrylics on canvas, 86 x 89 cm. Photograph: Mika Friman.
Aira Hellaakoski Collection
The donation collection of the Oulu-born, Tampere-based painter and printmaker Aira Hellaakoski (1898–1991) includes fifteen works by the artist, mainly watercolours and oil paintings.