The Spirit of Emelia Project
Spirit of Emelia is a multimedia project inspired by the building of the historical Galeas Emelia at the Mariehamn Sjökvarteret in Åland. It encompasses a documentary film, audio recordings, animation and a book, as well as an exhibition featuring over 80 portraits and paintings of the remarkable shipbuilding process and the men and women involved in her construction.
The project premieres at the Ålands konstmuseum in October 2026, with plans to tour internationally, drawing attention to this extraordinary boat building community venture.
Artist Statement
When I first came to the Åland Islands from Australia, I was drawn by the sea, the light, and the quiet strength of a place shaped by water. Over time, I began to understand that the sea here is not simply a landscape. It is memory, livelihood, identity, and connection.
My first encounter with Emelia began through my husband, master shipbuilder Kenneth Holmström, whose passion for the vessel opened a door into a remarkable story. At first, I thought I was witnessing the building of a ship. What I gradually discovered was something far greater: an old spirit of community still alive in the present. The Spirit of Emelia grew from that discovery.
As an artist, I became fascinated by the physical making of Emelia — the massive oak frames, the handmade copper nails, the craftsmanship, and the sculptural nature of the vessel. Yet what moved me most was not the ship as an object, but the idea she carried: the tradition of talka, of people coming together freely, generously, and with purpose.
To me, this generosity is a gift from the heart. It is practical, humble, and deeply human. It belongs to Åland’s maritime history, yet it also speaks beyond place and time. In a world that can so often feel divided or hurried, the spirit of talka reminds us of what is still possible when people offer their skills, time, trust, and care to something larger than themselves.
My response to Emelia was therefore not to document the ship alone, but to honour the spirit that brought her into being. Through portraits, landscapes, film, sound, and this book, I wanted to give form to something that cannot easily be measured.
For me, Emelia became a symbol of what can be created when people come together with patience, purpose, and heart. This book is a reflection of that journey, and a tribute to the many hands, voices, and acts of generosity that carried her forward.
Danelle Bergstrom, 2026