Hidden Knowledge of the North: Finnish National Gallery Spotlights Women Artists and Esotericism

The Latin terms arcana and borealis translate to “hidden knowledge” and “the north”—two concepts anchoring the Finnish National Gallery’s latest exhibition.

Arcana Borealis – Northern Women and Esotericism marks the first major museum survey examining how female artists across the Nordic region and Sápmi have engaged with esotericism, spirituality, and alternative knowledge systems from the 19th century to today. The show assembles more than 200 works by 50 artists, ranging from celebrated figures such as Hilma af Klint, Tyra Kleen, and Tove Jansson to overlooked practitioners.

According to Dr. Marja Lahelma, Chief Curator at Ateneum Art Museum and co-curator of the exhibition, the dialogue between modern art and esotericism has historically centered on male artists. “For quite a long time art history has been dominated by narratives focusing on male artists and on this notion of the individual genius,” Dr. Lahelma told Euronews Culture. “Our focus is on women, and we also draw attention to this idea of communality and working together.”

Art, Spirituality, and Handicraft

Dr. Nina Kokkinen of the University of Turku, fellow co-curator, noted that the exhibition reveals how distinctions between art and spirituality, fine art and craft, object and process, and individual authorship versus collective making begin to dissolve when viewed through the lens of women artists and esotericism.

The material range is exceptionally broad, encompassing textiles, ceramics, metal engravings, and traditional sacral media such as stained glass and mosaics. Handicraft, the curators emphasize, involves matrilineal transmission—knowledge and skills passed from one woman to the next. Sámi duodji, the traditional Sámi craft practice, unites spirituality, intergenerational tacit knowledge, and nature-centered values.

Several artists featured in the exhibition described being guided by non-human agency—whether angels, guiding spirits, or natural forces.

Halloween or Kekri

“This is a perfect exhibition to visit for Halloween, or Kekri as we say in Finnish,” Dr. Lahelma added. “Esotericism is about light and darkness. We can explore themes such as death in art through this esoteric framework, and sometimes the hidden knowledge, the secret knowledge that esotericism is all about, can be found through exploring darkness rather than light.”

Arcana Borealis – Northern Women and Esotericism at Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery, runs through 28 February 2027.

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