Toni R. Toivonen Wins The Art of Basware 2014

Toni R. Toivonen has won the global The Art of Basware competition that is now in its 15th anniversary year. Mr. Toivonen, 26, took home a prize of €5,000 for his winning entry "Jonkin on hajottava - something must break".

Almost 200 individual artists with a total of 458 entries took part in the annual art competition, with this year's theme being "Growth". For the first time this year, entries were open to international artists to mark the 15th anniversary of the competition.

Along with the winning entry, a number of the other artwork entered for the competition will be on display in an exhibition at the Helsinki Music Centre from April 9 to May 1, 2014.

The winner, Mr. Toivonen, currently lives in Siuntio, Finland and is studying for his Master's Degree at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki. He has previously also studied at the Turku Arts Academy. Mr. Toivonen has a classical background, but he has adapted his style in recent years.

"I am very ambitious and I have set my goals high. This piece was begun in 2013, but I wasn't satisfied with it at the time. This year, I began to modify and re-work some of my older pieces, and this was one of them. Through destruction, it was kind of reborn and began to talk to me. Life and everything is often dualistic, and it can be seen in this piece as well," Toni R. Toivonen said about his work.

Paula Holopainen, an expert from the Finnish Painters' Union, once again chaired the judging panel. In addition, the jury included Raija Heikkilä (Finnish Painters' Union), Marjo Saarela (AD at Avotakka magazine), photographer Sami Kulju, Basware's Chief Marketing Officer Steve Muddiman and Senior Communications Manager Sirje Ahvenlampi.

"Growth happens when the old is destroyed and the new emerges from the ashes. Toni R. Toivonen's 'something must break' is proof of understanding this truth. He modified his old painting using a collage technique and transformed into new artwork by attaching and removing paper on metal," Mrs. Holopainen described the winning entry.

"The Art of Basware emerged from the desire to support and promote the career and development of young artists. We believe that there is a strong connection between innovation, determination, creativity, and commerce," said Steve Muddiman, Chief Marketing Officer at Basware.

'Something must break' will be added to Basware's art collection, which now consists of as many as 85 artworks, including last year's winner 'Scarecrows' by Viljami Heinonen.

This year, Basware will also cooperate with ArtHelsinki at the Habitare exhibition in September, where The Art of Basware jubilee exhibition will be displayed later this year. The exhibition will be available online and also on Pinterest.

Ends

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Find out how Basware helps money move more easily and lets commerce flow at www.basware.com.

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