BIODIVERSITY
“Nature, with its millions of species, is an unimaginably complex entity. Together, they form a network in which every living thing has its place, and every change affects the whole network.”
Biologist-sculptor Ville Heimala’s Biodiversity exhibition presents a small glimpse of this vast diversity – from the perspective of biologist Heimala, and interpreted by sculptor Heimala. He tells stories hidden in nature through art, throwing in a dash of natural mysticism.
Heimala is concerned about the loss of biodiversity. He wants to bring out the beauty and meaning of nature in a pronounced way – through his decorative and visually multi-levelled works. Through the art in this exhibition, the complex networks of numerous organisms are revealed as visible surfaces in the form of foliages, moss, marine plankton and coral reefs.
Ville Heimala has a degree in biology (MSc) from University of Helsinki and in Ceramic and Glass Art / Design (BA) from Aalto University. He has been designing exhibitions for nearly 20 years, for e.g. Luomus and HUS, and has also curated many art exhibitions. Since 2016 he has been working as a full-time sculptor – currently at his studio in Kirkkonummi.
Heimala’s works can be found in the collections of Finnish National Gallery, Espoo Museum of Modern Art EMMA and Craft Museum of Finland, as well as in private collections in Finland, Sweden and the United States. In spring 2025, Heimala’s public work, the narrative five-sculpture series the Millions of Years, was installed on the cultural nature trail in Kanavapuisto at Lappajärvi. Currently, Heimala is working on an outdoor sculpture of a rooster for Kera, Espoo. www.villeheimala.com
Photo: Jarmo Heimala
