Written by Joey Ong
Edited by Morgan Diep
Helmi Dagmar Juvonen (1903-1085) was one of the few female American artists who received attention during a time when women were not taken seriously as artists in the Northwest. Her work is often described as vivid, expressive with hints of surrealism and connections to Finnish folklore and Native American culture. Growing up surrounded by artistic family members, she naturally became interested in art and attended the Cornish Art Institute with the help of her well-off society friends. A year later, she was diagnosed with manic-depressive illness (now known as bipolar disorder), which impacted her life severely. Although being hospitalized several times over the next 30 years, she continued to study and practice art. She was interested in meeting tribes across the Pacific Northwest and participated in religious ceremonies. She frequented historical museums and Native American reservations, maintaining close friendships with tribal chiefs. Through this exposure, much of her work has Native Americans influence, with themes of symbolism, spirituality, nature and vibrant colors that convey emotional depth. Throughout her life, she struggled with economic insecurity, especially with being a woman artist in a male-dominated field and society. She relied on patrons that would financially support her by purchasing many of her works and offering to send money. Although frustrated with her living conditions and her diagnosis, her love for art allowed her to persevere and continue to create works of art. She participated in multiple federal art projects, researched camouflage for the US Navy, studied engineering and mechanical drawing, and learned casting and modeling in clay. In the 1950s, she was legally declared incompetent and was sent to a home for the mentally impaired, in which she lived there until her death. She continued to draw and paint at her time there and was known for her humor and sincerity. Though Juvonen’s life was marked with many hardships and marginalization, her unique path in life has left an indelible mark on American art, which offers a powerful glimpse into her world.
References:
Archives West Finding Aid. Helmi Juvonen Papers - Archives West. (n.d.). https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv25660
Claassen, C. (2019, November 4). Transcending boundaries: Becoming Helmi. The Whatcom Museum. https://www.whatcommuseum.org/transcending-boundaries-becoming-helmi/
Helmi Dagmar Juvonen: A personal connection. Davidson Galleries. (n.d.). https://www.davidsongalleries.com/collections/helmi-dagmar-juvonen-a-personal-connection/nationality_pacific-northwest?srsltid=AfmBOoq205Nr5-m2Z1ZpM1WrhHP3LxIEUkl-SRc1zvLXbcDz0J-b_Dwb
Helmi Juvonen: Symbol, Myth, Fantasy Spirit Dance 1, La Conner, 1952 , 1955-1959 (n.d) Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.whatcommuseum.org/virtual_exhibit/universal_exhibit/vex22/7E7F5208-B845-4026-9BC3-520693188248.htm
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