THE SHAPE OF SISU
An Exhibition by Nancy Rahnasto Osborne and Karen Ojala
Exhibition Dates: June 24 – July 5
Location: Provincetown Commons
46 Bradford Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
Opening Reception
Friday, June 26
5 PM – 7 PM
Karen Ojala Website
Nancy Rhanasto Osborn Website
Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sisu :The collective Finnish concept of personal endurance, fortitude, grit ; a perseverance to continue onward when challenges seem insurmountable.
Grandchildren of Finnish immigrants whose families initially settled in Western MA, Karen Ojala and Nancy Rahnasto Osborne met decades later in the art community of the Outer Cape. They share a Nordic sensibility in their art and admiration in each others work .
They both had mirrored aspirations to become the best they could be having late starts on their artistic paths which came to fruition for them both after years of work and child rearing. With that in common this exhibit cultivates the vision they held to exhibit together . The concept of Sisu is buried deep in the core of both of these artists.
“The origin of art, a work song of the interior” Basho
Nancy Rahnasto Osborne (1954-2026). Art was woven into Nancy’s life from the very beginning — a childhood passion she carried with her through her successful career at the Walt Disney Company and never let go. When she retired she returned to that creative core, dedicating herself to art and studying with Joyce Johnson and Romolo Del Deo, among others. Luminous oils and bold sculptures marked her showings at The Works Gallery in Wellfleet, Provincetown Commons, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, and Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, where she served as co-president of the board. Her bronze sculpture “Lookout” will be installed on MacMillan Pier in 2026 under the auspices of the Provincetown Public Art Foundation.
Shape of Sisu
Show Statement
Sisu : (as is )
Karen Ojala
Favorite quotes :
“Art is my sustenance, I hold it close “
(Mine)
—The origin of art, a work song of the interior - Basho
Stay hungry, be humble
I paint like a God - Ellen Thesleff
KarenOjala.com
Karen Ojala I am enthralled by portrait expressionism and work primarily from life in my studio space where I carefully choose the model, the setting, and the composition to create an intentional yet natural environment. With every setting there is something to discover in the process and that's what drives the flow of my art. In the encapsulated fleeting time of a model’s sitting, I paint my ‘alla prima’ interpretation, a first expression of their being.
