Noora Schroderus: Karvainen Kasvio / Hairy Herbarium

Completion year: 2016

Technique: 22 plant shapes sewn from human body hair. Framed. Each 45,5x61,5x3cm

Keywords: Noora Schroderus, hairy, herbarium, plant, human body hair, herbaario, kasvio, kasvi, karva, ihmisen karva

The plant specimens of Noora Schroderus' series of work are misleadingly reminiscent of genuine dried plants. They also bring to mind earlier generations' summer pastime of finding and collecting different kinds of plants and storing them between sheets of paper.

The organic forms of plants that are pleasing to the eye from far away might on closer examination arouse a shudder – as human body hair alone has been used as the material for the works. The artist asks where chaetophobia – fear of hair- comes from, and why hair is still a taboo for us. The hairlessness ideal of women, in particular, has a long tradition, even though all the hair on the human body has its own purpose. Natural has become unnatural.

(text: Laura Kuurne, Serlachius Museums)

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