The world-famous Moomin characters have captured the hearts of many, but their creator, Finnish artist Tove Jansson, remains an enigma to most. A groundbreaking exhibition in Paris delves into Jansson’s life, revealing her as the creator of the beloved Moomins and as a trailblazer for female independence and queer representation.
Curators Sini Rinne-Kanto and Tuukka Laurila describe the exhibit as shedding light on “the complexities of someone who created her own rules as a female and queer artist” at a time when the art world was largely male-dominated, especially during the World War II era. Thomas Zambra, Jansson’s grandnephew, pointed out how determined she was from the beginning, stating, “From an early age, she knew she wanted to be an artist; there was something unwavering about it.”
Jansson’s artistic journey began as a teenager, covering for her mother, the famed illustrator Signe Hammarsten, on a magazine commission. She later pursued formal art education in Stockholm and Paris, drawing inspiration from the Scandinavian landscapes. However, the war years cast a shadow over her life, resulting in sombre paintings and political critiques against leaders like Hitler and Stalin in the satirical magazine “Garm.” It was here that the first inklings of the Moomin characters appeared.
Post-war, Jansson’s life blossomed in her studio in Helsinki. The exhibition proudly displays her diverse illustrations, including those for literary classics like “The Hobbit” and “Alice in Wonderland.” Jansson’s Moomin fairytales began in 1945, promoting universal values of love and tolerance. Over the next two decades, she added 12 more Moomin books to her oeuvre.
Defying societal expectations, Jansson never married, openly lived her queerness (despite the legal challenges of her time), and maintained a lifelong partnership with Tuulikki Pietilä. Their love story is poignantly captured through mixtapes and memories of their shared Finnish island retreat, a testament to their love for art and each other.
Reflecting on the enormity of Jansson’s impact, Tuukka Laurila remarked, “Working on someone who was such a talented genius, whose work is timeless and still inspires artists today.” As this exhibition reveals, Jansson’s legacy goes beyond the Moomins. In the face of societal expectations and challenges, she was a pioneering artist and woman who carved her own path and left an indelible mark on the world of art and literature.