Antero Kare, a remarkable self-taught artist, invites us on a captivating exploration of bio art and various artistic mediums. Through his work, Kare delves into profound themes like time, change, transformation, and the complex nature of life itself. With a diverse artistic career encompassing painting, sculpture, and other forms, Kare's creative evolution reflects his unwavering dedication to his craft.
Kare's artistic journey took root during his formative years when he discovered a deep passion for creative expression. Painting quickly became a primary focus, soon followed by his intricate object collages. These early endeavours laid a solid foundation for Kare's artistic development, which has continued to evolve with each passing year. With a five-decade career spanning art history, art journalism, and visual arts, Kare now delves into ceramics and bio art.
During our recent interview, Kare shared his perspectives on the interplay between his art-making and his written reflections on art, the latter providing him with inspiration to create. His enthusiasm for contemporary art springs from both the act of creating his own works and engaging in critical writing in the first art publication of the Nordics, Taide. This along with the audience feedback of his written work laid solid foundations for a life of making and creating art.
Delving into his areas of interest, Kare spoke passionately about bio art and his fascination with ancient, pre-historic art. He revealed an unshakable connection with nature and the ancient artists who captured its essence through their enduring creations on rocks that still stand today. Kare's encounters with ancient rock art left a standing impression, evoking a profound sense of shared experience with the artists of the past. This inherent connection to nature distinguishes ancient art, seamlessly bridging the gap between history and the present.
Bioart serves as a captivating journey back in time for Kare, where he explores the interplay between art and biology. Through his abstract paintings and references to historical episodes, Kare delves into the cultural and natural history that shapes our understanding of life itself. His ongoing project, centred around ceramics adorned with ancient symbols, reflects his ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the past and their impact on contemporary art.
Looking ahead, Kare's current focus lies in ceramics and the integration of ancient symbols along with letting minerals and microbes shape and influence the clay he works with. The creative process brings him immense joy, particularly this tangible interaction with materials. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape, Kare sources locally abundant clay and organic materials, imbuing his artwork with a sense of connection to the environment. Through careful experimentation, he aims to establish enduring relationships between art, nature, and the surrounding world.
As we concluded our conversation, Kare shared his approach to maintaining curiosity and finding inspiration in everyday life. His recent fascination with self-sourcing the material needed for his ceramic endevaours has led him to explore with renewed vigour. By incorporating elements from his environment and harnessing chemical reactions, Kare creates visually captivating representations of natural phenomena, blurring the boundaries between art and the world around us.
For those seeking an immersive experience with bio art in Finland, Kare's work serves as a captivating entry point into this intriguing realm.
Visitors of Konstrundan can expect to immerse themselves in the artistic universe of Antero Kare. A display of Antero’s work promises to be a thought-provoking celebration of creativity and exploration, where pre-historic symbols and the wonders of nature converge, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate interplay of art and life. In addition to
Kare's many years of participation in Konstrundan, a group exhibition is also held in Somero with ceramic craftsmen every summer together.