" You Can't Win a Rally If You're Afraid " is a textile art exhibition by Talvikki Ulvelin that combines traditional craftsmanship, ecology and social criticism. The works in the exhibition are made by hand embroidery on recycled tablecloths, giving a new meaningful layer on top of the old. The works borrow texts from popular culture and offer them multidimensional interpretations. They delve into the experiences of neuroliteracy, questioning societal norms and paying attention to detail.
The exhibition draws on the artist’s own experiences with ADHD and feelings of exclusion. Traditional hand embroidery is combined with humorous and critical texts, creating a strong contrast between the delicate aesthetics of old tablecloths and contemporary social themes. The exhibition invites the viewer to stop and consider whether neuro-literacy could be a resource rather than a problem, and how society could be transformed into a more truly inclusive one.
Talvikki Ulvelin is a textile artist from Kotka, Finland, whose work focuses on equality, feminism, critique of power positions and ecology. Her slow and precise embroidery technique acts as a counterweight to the rush of modern life and the maximization of productivity. Ulvelin is also known for her textile activism under the pseudonym Roska Art, where she combines art and social impact. Her works offer the viewer space for reflection and reinterpretation, challenging familiar norms and provoking thoughts about the structures of society.
The exhibition is open from 6.2.–16.3.2025 at the KOUTA gallery, Kouvola building, Varuskuntakatu 11, Kouvola. Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11–18, Sat–Sun 12–17, closed on Monday. Admission: adults €11, students/pensioners/conscripts/unemployed €8, under 18s free. Free admission on Fridays from 17–18. Museum card also valid. Further information: www.poikilo.fi ."