Artist Talk: Those Who Kept the Light

Join us for a conversation between artist Nastja Säde Rönkkö and curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley on queer survival, the radical environmental longing of the sea, and the sapphic connection of open shores.

Curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley is joined by Finnish artist Nastja Säde Rönkkö to discuss Rönkkö’s work in video, performance, installation, and text. Following a screening of selected works from Rönkkö’s Those Who Kept the Light—currently on view in the Alice Austen House’s group exhibition She Sells Seashells, curated by Rolls-Bentley—the artist and Rolls-Bentley will explore Rönkkö’s research into lighthouse keepers, the history of lesbian artistry connecting to shorelines, and the modern queering of feminist maritime mythologies. Guests are invited to dream of new ways longing can lead to radical environmental thoughts and protections.

Nastja Säde Rönkkö’s practice longingly dreams of the future while exploring  presence through politics and poetics of emotion. Her work flows through nordic seascapes and digital landscapes to ask what humanity and the future of our planet looks like in the digital age. Her work has been exhibited and performed internationally in places such as Somerset House, London; SXSW, Austin, TX; Museum of the Moving Image; and Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, Finland.

This discussion is presented in collaboration with The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York (FCINY). FCINY works across the fields of contemporary art, design, and architecture to encourage dialogue and the exchanging of ideas between Finland and the United States.

Accessibility
Located at 26 Wooster Street, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art strives to provide a welcoming environment to all visitors. Five external steps lead to our entrance doors: a wheelchair lift is available. All galleries are wheelchair-accessible, and a single-occupancy accessible restroom is located behind the visitor services desk. All restrooms are gender-neutral. Large print didactics are available. Chairs with backs are available. For questions or access requests, please email info@leslielohman.org at least one week in advance of your visit.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
26 Wooster Street
New York, New York 10013
United States

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𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲

Wednesday, 01/14/2026
6:00pm EST - 8:00pm EST

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Free

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