The Spirit of Emelia Project - Artist Statement

Danelle Bergstrom is currently working towards an exhibition called Spirit of Emelia, inspired by the building of the historical Galeas Emelia at the Mariehamn Sjökvarteret in Åland. It will feature around 100 portraits and paintings of the remarkable shipbuilding process and the men and women involved in her construction, with plans to exhibit at Åland Konstmuseum in 2025 and publish a book about the project.

‘Emelia is the name of an extraordinary traditional wooden two masted schooner being constructed in Åland to replace an ageing ship called Albanus. Watching the development from the early stages and seeing how the massive oak timbers form the skeletal shape of the ship, is for me an amazing sight. Her organic form develops in reverse to a carcass of a whale decaying on the edge of the sea. The frames of the ship appear like the bones of a whale and the planking like the skin. Slowly she is revealing herself with each stage of construction and capturing the imagination of all who see her.

She is being built with dedication and passion by skilful ship builders and volunteers, with both private and public financial support. Such generosity and cooperation of people coming together and showing support for a common cause, such as building a ship, is commonplace in Åland and Nordic cultures, and I am sure in many parts of the world.

This TALKA, (in Swedish) is a time-honoured tradition.

When I first became aware of and witnessed a TALKA in 2019. I was so impressed, moved and inspired by this wonderful feeling of community involvement, I wanted to celebrate and commemorate this spirit. I see the ship Emelia as a perfect symbol of this spirit and the unity and collaboration of community involvement. I aim to convey the historic and cultural significance of Emelia, by honouring the people who are involved in the creation of this important and exceptional venture.

Emelia will be launched in 2025 and her creation on land and sea birth resembles one reverse to our own. Included in the exhibition will be several paintings inspired by the landscapes telling the underlying story from land to sea. Paintings inspired from the giant oak forests of Denmark, where some timbers are used to form the frames, to paintings that suggest the foreordained seas, the ship’s ultimate destination.

This is the only ship of this scale currently being built in the Nordic region and indeed may be the last one built in our lifetime and most probably the last ship built in Åland. The craftsmanship, skill and dedication of these master shipbuilders and the enthusiasm with which the local community has supported the project perfectly demonstrates what can happen when people come together in unity to create something magical.’

Danelle Bergstrom, 2023