Juhannus

Artist Statement

The artist explores Juhannus (Finnish Midsummer), a day when the veil is thinnest, suffused with potent magic. It is a day of festivities, a day of sun-worship, of reverence in nature, of costume – a day that celebrates the coming together of people to worship endless light in order to brace themselves against the returning dark. Nature is in full bloom. Seven wildflowers under your head as you sleep conjures dreams of prospective love. Weaving crowns from flowers and placing them on each other’s heads invites the power of nature to grant strength to the wearer and steel themselves for the dark winter, each flower carrying its own power and meaning.

Now popularised for aesthetic and often costume. A fine line between belief and learnt ritual.

These ceremonies imprinted on Kristina through heritage and practice. Like a muscle memory of rites.