The artist from Ylivieska spent his childhood in Mmbour, Senegal. The influence of the places where he lived as a child are reflected in the way he perceives reality and makes his art. In sound art, he is interested in the local.
Owla, exhibited at the Oulu Museum of Art, was composed by Autio’s long-time collaborator Anna Voutilainen and is performed by the Oulu-based choirs Cantio Laudis, Cassiopeia and Tuira Chamber Choir. The composition was written in spring 2023 and recorded in Oulu in August 2023. In the artwork, the individual voices are played together, one choir at a time. In between, we hear the singers’ thoughts on the recordings and reflections on how they feel about singing and where they rest.
In addition to Autio’s solo exhibition, Oulu Museum of Art has collaborated with the artist to create a touring artwork aimed at services for the elderly in the regions of North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu: The Song of Time – Sound Bath for Six. The work is available for loan to the region for spaces such as service homes and day centres.
Jaakko Autio has a degree in sound design from Uniarts Helsinki. His works have been shown in solo and group exhibitions in Finland and abroad, most recently at the M_Itä? Biennale of Contemporary Art in Joensuu, the Kogo Gallery in Tarto and the Nart Gallery in Narva.
