Title Finglish
Artist Vesa Oja
Date of publication 24,2 x 27,5 cm
Page count 238 pages
Edition size 1500
Design Jorma Hinkka
Publisher Aalto ARTS Books - Musta Taide
Website mustataide.aalto.fi
About Finglish is the first major work of photographic documentation of Finns in North America. Setting out to trace his relatives, Vesa Oja came across an Americanized way of life with a Finnish touch, dreams, utopias and homesickness. Vesa and Päivi Oja journeyed from New York to California and from Ontario to Florida. Over a period of eight years thousands of photographs were taken and hundreds of people were interviewed. The stories of Vesa Oja's uncle and aunt are part of the history of migration. Almost 800,000 descendants of Finns who went to seek a better life and future live in different parts of North America. The Finns first went to work in mines, factories, construction, logging or domestic service. They saved money for their own dream of a farm. They remembered their land of birth where they might never return. New settlements were given names such as Kalevala, Elo, Nisula, Heinola, Onnela, Sointula and Suomi. Finglish offers a journey in time where past and present meet with gentle and wistful humor.
Artist Vesa Oja
Date of publication 24,2 x 27,5 cm
Page count 238 pages
Edition size 1500
Design Jorma Hinkka
Publisher Aalto ARTS Books - Musta Taide
Website mustataide.aalto.fi
About Finglish is the first major work of photographic documentation of Finns in North America. Setting out to trace his relatives, Vesa Oja came across an Americanized way of life with a Finnish touch, dreams, utopias and homesickness. Vesa and Päivi Oja journeyed from New York to California and from Ontario to Florida. Over a period of eight years thousands of photographs were taken and hundreds of people were interviewed. The stories of Vesa Oja's uncle and aunt are part of the history of migration. Almost 800,000 descendants of Finns who went to seek a better life and future live in different parts of North America. The Finns first went to work in mines, factories, construction, logging or domestic service. They saved money for their own dream of a farm. They remembered their land of birth where they might never return. New settlements were given names such as Kalevala, Elo, Nisula, Heinola, Onnela, Sointula and Suomi. Finglish offers a journey in time where past and present meet with gentle and wistful humor.