Kim Simonsson
Helsinki, Finland, 1974
About
Lives and works in Fiskars, Finland
The first time Kim Simonsson realized he was able to sculpt was years ago. He was just a little boy playing with the snow in his backyard. The other boys his age would roll snowmen but Kim sculpted a Donald duck. He had three dimensional vision at very early age. Besides sculpting snow, soccer and history are Kim’s passions. The local soccer field turned into an art studio but tales and history live in his sculpting.
The ancient material shapes into life size sculptures of animals and children in Kim Simonsson’s hands. He combines the innocent with an odd agenda. Although the technique he uses is traditional, the way he gives the material a soul is unique. A strange, enchanted sadness runs through Mr. Simonsson’s work, as though he were trying to connect to some abandoned magical place in his own psyche.
CV
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Memorials, Alzueta Gallery, Barcelona, Spain (2023)
Kim Simonsson, L’Idole endormie des Moss People, Carte blance, Espace Monte-Cristo, Fondation Villa Datris, Paris, France (2023)
The Year of the Moss Children, Design Miami, Jason Jacques Gallery, USA (2022)
Moss Cabbage People, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2022)
Silhouettes, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland (2022)
Moss People, IYOUTH STUDIO, Shanghai, China (2021)
Future Dream, Jason Jacques Gallery, New York, USA (2021)
Small Monuments, KWUM Museum, Fiskars, Finland (2021)
Moss People and Other Stories, Alzueta Gallery, Barcelona, Spain (2020)
Chosen, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland (2019)
Santeri Tuori & Kim Simonsson, Ålands konstmuseum, Mariehamn, Finland (2019)
Design Miami/Basel, Jason Jacques Gallery, Basel, Switzerland (2019)
Stories at Campfire, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2019)
Treasure Hunters, Galerie Forsblom, Stockholm, Sweden (2018)
Shaman Party, Jason Jacques Gallery, New York, USA (2017)
Little Prince and Moss People, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland (2016)
Moss People, Galerie NeC, Paris (2016)
Moss People, Jason Jacques Gallery, New York, USA (2015)
Invisible Hand, Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki, Finland (2014)
Kim Simonsson, Favardin & de Verneuil, Paris, France (2012)
Chameleon, Gallery Heino, Helsinki, Finland (2012)
Ponytail, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, USA (2011)
Parallel Reality, Musee d’Ànsembourg, Liege, Belgium (2010)
Parallel Reality, Elverket, Tammisaari, Finland (2010)
Sculptures, Galerie Favardin & de Verneuil, Paris, France (2009)
Pro Arte Award Exhibition, Didrichsen Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland (2009)
Duality, Wonderland Art Space, Copenhagen, Denmark (2009)
The Golden Deer, Retretti, Punkaharju, Finland (2009)
Animal Gaze, Galleria Heino, Helsinki, Finland (2009)
Invisible World, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, USA (2008)
Variations On A Decoration, Wäinö Aaltonen Art Museum, Turku , Finland (2008)
Sculptures, Finnish Cultural Institut, Oslo, Norway (2008)
Den osynliga hjorten, Finnish Cultural Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (2007)
Dreams And Disappointments II, Herrmann & Wagner Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2007)
Sculptures, with Panu Puolakka, Taidesalonki Husa, Tampere, Finland (2007)
Kotona II, Karin Widnäs, Fiskars, Finland (2007)
Camouflage, Gallery Heino, Helsinki, Finland (2006)
Huoltamo, Tampere, Finland (2006)
Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, USA (2005)
Sculptures, Arabia Museum’s Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (2005)
Dislocated Clay and a Transformative Mirror, NCECA, Maryland, Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA (2005)
Young Artist of the Year 2004, Tampere Art Museum, Tampere, Finland (2004)
K9 & NIKE, Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (2003)
Realm of The Senses, Studio Hyöryllistä, Turku, Finland (2000)
Ideaali, with Miklos Gaal, Gallery of the Fine Arts Academy, Helsinki, Finland (1999)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Utopian Scenario about Nature, MoCA Busan, Busan, South Korea (2023)
Hey! Ceramicue.s, Halle St Pierre, Paris, France (2023)
Northern Latitude 60,20890, Iittala & Arabia Design Center, Helsinki, Finland (2023)
Galerie Forsblom’s 45th-anniversary exhibition, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland (2023)
Atelier Life, Contemporary ceramics of the Arabia Art Department Society, Hvitträsk
Museum, Finland (2023)
manifesto of fragility, Lyon Contemporary Biennale, Lyon, Paris (2022)
Utopia, Lille3000, Rue Faidherbe, Lille, France (2022)
Utopia, Lille3000, Garden of Eden, Lille, France (2022)
Toucher Terre, Fondation Villa Datris, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France (2022)
Human and Animal, Iwate Museum of Art, Japan (2022)
Sculptures, KWUM, Fiskars Village, Finland (2022)
Beautés équivoques Exhibition, Fondation Bernardaud, Limoges, France (2021)
Human and Animal, Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan (2021)
Call to the Wild / L’appel de la nature, Maison Louis Carré, Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, France (2020)
Skulptur i Pilane, Klövedal, Sweden (2020)
In the Shade of the Forest, Halosenniemi Museum, Tuusula, Finland (2020)
Luonnon edestä, Poikilo-museo, Kouvola, Finland (2020)
Beyond the Vessel, Myths, Legends, and Fables in Contemporary Ceramics, Mesher, Istanbul, Turkey (2019)
KWUM, Keramik Museum, Fiskars, Finland (2019)
Pro Arte Award exhibition, Didrichsen Art Museum, Helsingfors, Finland (2019)
From the Shadows of Night to the Brightness of Day, Makasiini Contemporary, Turku, Finland (2019)
No Time, the McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, USA (2018)
The Fantastical Worlds of Kim Simonsson, the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, USA (2018)
Northern Exposure: Contemporary Nordic Arts Revealed, Nordic Museum, Seattle, USA (2018)
Monkey and Waterfall: Pictures of our climate, Sara Hilden Art Museum, Tampere, Finland (2018)
Ceramics Now: The Faenza prize is 80 years old, The International Museum of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy (2018)
About Clay: Pearls of European Ceramic Art in Fiskars, The Copper Smithy, Fiskars, Finland (2018)
Alice in Wonderland, Art and Museum Centre Sinkka, Kerava, Finland (2018)
Kim Simonsson & Kalevala koru, Galleri Hanaholmen, Espoo, Finland (2017)
PYHÄNIEMI 2016, Hollola, Finland (2016)
Human Condition, #TheHospital, Los Angeles, USA (2016)
Wild Strawberries, Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art, Turku, Finland (2016)
9 SEASONS, Embassy of Finland, Finlandia Hall, Washington D.C., USA (2015)
Summer Exhibition, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland (2015)
Skills, ØKS, Fredrikstad, Norway (2015)
Photographs and Sculptures, with Markus HenttonenLahti Art Museum, Lahti, Finland (2014)
Helsinki Fat Clay, Galerie Heller, Heidelberg, Germany (2014)
Helsinki Fat Clay, Gallery Arabia, Helsinki, Finland (2014)
Skills, The Lofoten Islands, Norway (2014)
Blurred Lines, Fiskars Village, Finland (2014)
Melancholy, Villa Roosa, Orimattila, Finland (2014)
The Adidas Man and the Strongwoman, Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Turku, Finland (2014)
Soul & Body, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, USA (2013)
The Magic of Ceramics, The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo, Japan (2013)
Arabia Art & Design, Arabia Art Department, Artium, Fukuoka, Japan (2013)
1:10, Arabia Art Department 10 years, Gallery Arabia, Helsinki, Finland (2013)
Spark, Critical Contemporary Art and Design, Granary, Fiskars Village, Finland (2013)
Joy, Copper Smithy, Fiskars Village, Finland (2013)
Happy End?, Helsinki Art Museum, Tennispalatsi, Helsinki, Finland (2013)
The Young Artists of a Year 1985-2012, Gumbostrand, Sipoo, Finland (2013)
Bo Haglund & Kim Simonsson, Helsinki Airport Art Gallery, Finland (2012)
Camouflage, Kiasma, Helsinki, Finland (2012)
Tendenser, Galleri F 15, Moss, Norway (2012)
Helsinki Fat Clay, Faenza ja Milan, Italy (2012)
Shigaraki Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Japan (2012)
Lucid Dreaming, Pietarsaari, Finland (2012)
Reflective Shadow, Ordrupgaard, Copenhage, Denmark (2011)
Close Your Eyes And Tell Me What You See, Turku Observatory, Finland (2011)
Close Your Eyes And Tell Me What You See, Gothenburg Museum of Art, Gothenburg, Sweden (2011)
The Figuratives, Oude Kerk, Delft, Netherlands (2011)
Korero, Taiwan Ceramics Biennale, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Yingge, Taiwan (2010)
Finland Platform, Art Paris, Grand Palais, Paris, France (2010)
Best of Wonderland, Wonderland Art Space, Copenhagen, Denmark (2010)
Portratuire Beyond Likeness, Wayne Art Center, Philadephia, USA (2010)
100 Years of Sculpture In Finland, Väinö Aaltonen Art Museum, Turku, Finland (2010)
Vom Dunkeln Geschluckt, Ars Auttoinen, Auttoinen, Finland (2010)
Feuer Und Eis, Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany (2010)
Collect, Galleria Norsu, Saatchi Gallery, London (2010)
Prospection and Perspective, Galerie Favardin & de Verneuil, Paris, France (2009)
Miami Warm Up, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, USA (2009)
Visuell förvirring, Museum of Art in Åland, Mariehamn, Finland (2009)
Confrontational Ceramics, The Arts Exchange, White Plains, USA (2008)
Tulessa Syntynyt, Makasiini, Fiskars, Finland (2008)
KunstKörperlich – KörperKunstlich Part 2, Kunsthalle, Dominikanerkirche, Osnabruck, Germany (2008)
International Biennale of Contemporary Ceramic Art Vallauris, Vallauris, France (2008)
Incertitude de la vision, Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium (2008)
Every Body Counts, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Vestfossen, Norway (2008)
La Position de la terre, Crac Alsace, France (2008)
Evil Eye, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland (2007)
Silent Violence, Oulu Art Museum, Oulu, Finland (2007)
Present 2007, Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall, Aredal, Norway (2007)
I Would Like To Be A Dog, Rauma Art Museum, Rauma, Finland (2007)
XII Mäntän kuvataideviikot, Mänttä, Finland (2007)
Herrmann & Wagner Gallery and Gallery Heino, Brussels Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium (2007)
Purnu Summer Exhibition, Purnu, Finland (2006)
6 Rooms, Porvoo Art Factory, Porvoo, Finland (2006)
Helsinki International, Korjaamo, Helsinki, Finland (2006)
SOFA NY, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, USA (2006)
Another Worlds part II, Arario gallery, Cheonan, Republic of Korea (2006)
Set, Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland (2006)
Ungsfärskt, gallery Sinne and Elverket, Helsinki and Tammisaari, Finland (2006)
Japan Pop, Tennis Palace Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland (2005)
Trans Ceramic-Art, 3rd Ceramic Biennale Korea, Icheon, Republic of Korea (2005)
Wegway Show, S.P.I.N. Gallery, Toronto, Canada (2003)
Toronto Outdoor Art Show, Toronto, Canada (2003)
One Hundred Years of Finnish Ceramic, Designmuseum, Helsinki, Finland (2003)
Inverno, Este Gallery, Toronto, Canada (2002)
Group Show, The Palace, Toronto, Canada (2002)
Made in LAC, Living Arts Center, Missisisauga, Canada (2001)
Emerging Sculptors, Canadian Sculpture Center, Toronto, Canada (2001)
Biennale of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Chateauroux, France (2001)
K2000, Lappeenranta Art Museum, Lappeenranta, Finland (2000)
THINK, Ateneum, Helsinki, Finland (2000)
ART FAIRS
ART PALM BEACH, Jason Jacques Gallery & Gallery Fledermaus, Florida, USA (2023)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2022)
ARMONY SHOW, Galerie Forsblom, NYC, USA (2022)
CHART, Galerie Forsblom, Copenhagen Denmark (2022)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2022)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2021)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2020)
TEFAF, Jason Jacques Gallery, Maastricht, The Netherlands (2020)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2020)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2019)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2019)
ART BASEL, Jason Jacques Gallery, Basel, Switzerland (2019)
ART COLOGNE, Galerie Forsblom, Cologne, Germany (2019)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2019)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2019)
TEFAF, Jason Jacques Gallery, Maastricht, The Netherlands (2018)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2018)
ARMORY SHOW, Galerie Florsblom, New York, USA (2018)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2018)
ART CENTRAL HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China (2018)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2017)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2017)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2017)
ARMORY SHOW, Galerie Forsblom NYC, USA (2017)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2017)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2017)
FOG DESIGN + ART, Jason Jacques Gallery, San Francisco, USA (2017)
ART NEW YORK, Galerie Forsblom, New York, USA (2016)
FOG DESIGN + ART, Jason Jacques Gallery San Francisco, USA (2016)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2016)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2016)
CHART ART FAIR, Copenhagen, Denmark (2015)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2015)
PAD, Sèvres, Cité de la céramique, London, UK (2015)
ART PALM BEACH, Jason Jacques Gallery & Gallery Fledermaus, Florida, USA (2023)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2022)
ARMONY SHOW, Galerie Forsblom, NYC, USA (2022)
CHART, Galerie Forsblom, Copenhagen Denmark (2022)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2022)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2021)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2020)
TEFAF, Jason Jacques Gallery, Maastricht, The Netherlands (2020)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2020)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2019)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2019)
ART BASEL, Jason Jacques Gallery, Basel, Switzerland (2019)
ART COLOGNE, Galerie Forsblom, Cologne, Germany (2019)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2019)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2019)
TEFAF, Jason Jacques Gallery, Maastricht, The Netherlands (2018)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2018)
ARMORY SHOW, Galerie Florsblom, New York, USA (2018)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2018)
ART CENTRAL HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China (2018)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2017)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2017)
ARCO, Galerie Forsblom, Madrid, Spain (2017)
ARMORY SHOW, Galerie Forsblom NYC, USA (2017)
ART MIAMI, Galerie Forsblom, Miami, USA (2017)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2017)
FOG DESIGN + ART, Jason Jacques Gallery, San Francisco, USA (2017)
ART NEW YORK, Galerie Forsblom, New York, USA (2016)
FOG DESIGN + ART, Jason Jacques Gallery San Francisco, USA (2016)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2016)
ART PARIS, Galerie NeC, Paris, France (2016)
CHART ART FAIR, Copenhagen, Denmark (2015)
DESIGN MIAMI, Jason Jacques Gallery, Miami, USA (2015)
PAD, Sèvres, Cité de la céramique, London, UK (2015)
CHART ART FAIR, Galerie Forsblom, Copenhagen, Denmark (2014)
ART COPENHAGUEN, Galleria Heino, Copenhagen, Denmark (2012)
ART COPENHAGEN, Wonderland Art Space, Copenhagen, Denmark (2009)
ARCO SOLO PROJECTS, Gallery Heino, Madrid, Spain (2008)
RED DOT ART FAIR, Nancy Margolis Gallery, Miami Beach, USA (2007)
STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, Gallery Heino, Stockholm, Sweden (2005)
AWARDS & GRANTS
Posti Art Award 2022, Finland (2022)
5-year artist working grant for 2015-2019, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (2022)
Design Art Prize, Svenska kulturfonden (2014)
Artist in residence, Villa Snäcksund, Tammisaari, Finland William Thuring Prize (2013)
Walter Runeberg Foundation Award (2012)
Svenska kulturfonden 2-year artist grant (2012)
Pro Arte Award, Didrichsen Art Museum (2009-2012)
Walter Runeberg Foundation Award (2009)
Stina Krook Foundation Award (2008)
Frame-fund, exhibition scholarship (2008)
Arts Council of Finland, travel grant (2006)
Best in Show, Toronto Outdoor Art Show (2005)
Young artist of the year 2004, Tampere Art Museum, Finland (2004)
Artist of the month, Frame-fund, July 2004 (2004)
Svenska kulturfonden, a 1-year grant (2004)
Paolo Foundation, project grant (2003)
University of Arts and Design Helsinki (2001)
PUBLIC SCULPTURES
Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mustio School, Finland
Emma, Tapiola Metro Station, Espoo, Finland
Kupittaa Park, Turku, Finland
Kotka Sculpture Park, Kotka, Finland
Yrkeshögskolan Sydväst, Tammisaari, Finland
ARTWORKS IN COLLECTIONS AND MUSEUMS
Amos Andersson Art Museum
Design Museum, Helsinki
Didrichsen Art Museum
Espoo Museum of Modern Art
Fondation Villa Datris
Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu
Heino collection
Helsinki City Art Museum Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
KONE Foundation
McEvoy Foundation
National Museum of Norway
Nelimarkka Foundation
Oulu Art Museum
Racine Art Museum
Sara Hilden Art Museum
Shigaraki Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art
Tampere Art Museum
Victoria And Albert Museum
Ville de Chateauroux
Wäinö Aaltonen museum
