Juliana Irene Smith: Scaredy Cat – Boo! 31.10. – 30.11. 2025

The truth is, I’m afraid of everything. If I’m distracted enough by a TV show or a gallery opening, or if I’m a little bit tipsy, then maybe the feeling of fear calms to 70%. I’m afraid of heights, death, illness, bad people, flying (actually, any form of traveling — cars, buses, trains) enclosed spaces, forests, glaciers, elevators, public bathrooms, basements, attics, war, climate change, bugs, bears, barking dogs, sharks, snakes, wolves, loud noises, strong smells, mold, mushrooms. I’m afraid of falling and chipping my teeth (again). I’m afraid of old cis men, especially doctors, actors, musicians, men with white beards and US Americans. I’m extremely afraid of getting raped again. My walls are up and my fists are high. Hello, anxiety! One of the hardest things about living in Finland is the darkness. I’m 47 years old and, yes, I’m afraid of the dark.

My therapist tells me that adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse have two common reactions to darkness: They either love it because they can hide and be invisible, or, like me, they’re afraid of the dark because that’s where the bad things happened.

Upstairs gallery is bright in color but eerie with the faces staring at the viewer. There is a combination of analog photos and collages on large scale hand dyed household fabrics. Here one can face their fears in brightness. In the gallery downstairs, the works are darker and spatially intrusive. The dark humor steers us through the dark thoughts. If you need, I will be your friend and guide you through.