Artist of the Month Gunilla Sjövall (Gee)

by Silva Laukkanen

Introduction

Gunilla Sjövall, or Gee or grandma Owl as we all know her, has been a disability activist since 1949. Gee has spent the past 17 years channeling her advocacy through dance. In the 1990s, Gunilla played a crucial role as the education secretary of Kynnys ry (The Threshold Association), the Finnish civil rights association of disabled people, in bringing Finland its first inclusive dance workshop, led by Bruce Curtis from the United States. Although she admired the workshop, something held her back from fully engaging and dancing.

Gee sits in a wheelchair — Gee, an elderly woman seated in a wheelchair, exuding joy and warmth. She is dressed in a denim jacket adorned with large, vibrant pink gemstones and gold studs. She holds a colorful, striped, and shiny purse in her lap. Her white hair with a streak of black, is neatly pulled back, and she wears glasses, smiling gently at the camera. The background showcases a cozy interior with various decorations, including potted plants, a white wall with framed pictures. A small statue of a dog and several owl figurines are also visible.

“Since I was a child I saw myself as a dancer,” Gunilla says. Yet, it would be almost half a century before she allowed herself to pursue this dream. “You can’t dance in a wheelchair…!” – this societal misconception held her back until the summer of 2004 when a course on DanceAbility method at the Full Moon Dance Festival in Pyhäjärvi Finland opened her eyes and changed her life. Guided by Alito Alessi from the USA, she had a revelation.

By the summer of 2006, she returned from Vienna as a certified DanceAbility teacher, embarking on this new chapter at the age of 58. It had taken her almost 50 years to bring that dancer out of herself.

Gee wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t share the opportunities she got with others so after completing teacher training in Vienna, Gunilla felt compelled to share what she had discovered. It wasn’t enough to only develop her own talents; she was determined to nurture a community. This led her to co-found DanceAbility Finland ry (DAF) in 2008, an organization dedicated to presenting works by artists, performers, and choreographers with and without disabilities. DanceAbility Finland was founded by Gunilla Sjövall, Sally Davison, artist and disability activist Tuuli Helle, student and active dance enthusiast Maija Karhunen, theater expression director Outi Ivaska, and a small group of dance lovers and activists.

In 2010, the 70-minute dance piece “Kaleidoscope – The unbearable beauty of diversity” premiered in Kanneltalo, Helsinki, but when writing the introductory texts, the group realized that the performing group should have a more artistic name than DanceAbility Finland. It was during a particularly lengthy and disorderly meeting that the name Kaaos (Chaos) was chosen.

Two dancers in wheelchairs on a stage — The photo depicts a poignant, artistic moment with two performers engaged in the dance piece “Kaleidoscope- The unbearable beauty of diversity”. Seated in their wheelchairs on stage, they are dressed in textured white costumes, complete with elaborate, playful headpieces. Their positioning and the soft lighting foster a sense of intimate storytelling and connection. Gunilla Sjövall, left. Tuuli Helle, right. Photo Credit: Jarkko Mikkonen

She has since danced in nine creations under the Kaaos Company performances across Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. I have chosen three of them here:

Pond:
Pond is a small retreat, where we gather around water and give ourselves into it.
We float, we give in to the water, we get heavy, in the water, waterlike.

Dancers sit around the edges of an indoor pool — The image depicts a serene indoor pool area with large windows, showcasing an outside view of trees and greenery. There are five people in the scene, all wearing wetsuits: Gee in a wheelchair positioned near a speaker stand by the poolside. Two individuals sitting on the pool deck, with one person leaning against a pillar. Another individual sitting alone at the far end. The pool’s surface is calm, creating clear reflections of the people and the surrounding environment. Photo credit: Pekka Mäkinen

Chinese Whispers,
Investigates interpretation through movement form and speech by utilizing material from misunderstandings.

Gee on a purple lit stage. Nearby a person holds a sign with the Finnish word for misunderstood — The image shows a stage scene with dramatic lighting, predominantly purple. There are two main subjects in the frame: On the left, Jonna is holding up a large white sign with black text that reads “YMMÄRRETÄÄN VÄÄRIN,” which is Finnish for “misunderstood.” Because Jonna is holding the sign she is not fully visible, with her face obscured by the sign. On the right, Gee with red hair braided over her shoulder is sitting in a wheelchair. She appears serious wearing a black outfit with white patterns. Photo credit: Ismo Helén

Her latest collaborative creation with Sally Davison, a co-founder of Kaaos Company, “Swan Song” (2022) contemplated the aging body, though they humorously refer to it as a ‘farewell show’-but who knows what the future may hold for G.

Swang Song:

Sally holds Gee's hair streaming out in front of her — *Kaaos Company, Swan Song 2022, Sally Davison, Gunilla.*
On the left, Gee in a wheelchair leans forward with their long, flowing hair streaming out in front of them. On the right, Sally, standing, gently holds the end of Gee’s hair, creating a visual connection between the two. The scene is bathed in warm, natural light, which enhances the intimate and serene atmosphere. The background shows a large window with an urban landscape outside, featuring buildings and parked cars. The overall composition highlights themes of connection, support, and tenderness. Photo credit: Jan Ahlstedt

Throughout her career as a dancer, she has experienced a wide range of emotions, from joy to frustration. However, one sentiment that stands out is her pride in the resilience and interdependence among the performers at Kaaos Company. There is a deep collective pride in their commitment to empowering each dancer to express themselves through movement language rooted in their own bodies and creativity, free from the constraints of conventional ideas of ‘correct’ dance.

Gee also served as the board president of DAF for nine years and then she had a short “role” as a “backbencher” but in 2024 we pulled her back to the forefront to help with the leadership change in the organization, so now I get to work alongside Gee as she is the vice president of the board.

Gee and Silva — The image of Gee (on the left) and Silva (on the right), smiling at the camera in a close-up selfie. Gee on the left is older, with glasses and a colorful headscarf holding back her hair, which is braided. She is wearing a purple top. Silva on the right is slightly younger, with blonde hair in a braid, and is wearing a white shirt with a pattern of birds. They both appear happy and cheerful, enjoying a moment together.

My personal journey with Gunilla began at that life changing Full Moon Dance festival in Pyhäjärvi, Finland, in 2004. I was fresh from earning a DanceAbility teacher certification, and it was there, as a translator for Alito, that I met Gunilla along with her friend Tuuli and their personal assistants.

Their laughter was magnetic, their spirit infectious. We bonded over deep conversations about dance, life, and our shared commitment to inclusivity.

In the early 2000’s I had returned to Finland and was striving to establish myself as an inclusive dance artist and teacher, dreaming of the chance to work with Gee. That dream came true in 2005 when Gee asked me to teach one of their Sunday movement classes. Though excited, I was also incredibly nervous. The class didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. I was inexperienced and struggled to control my nerves. It was a valuable lesson for me in preparation and self-trust.

Luckily the Kaaos Company’s Sunday improvisation classes were not doomed due to my inexperience but they have become a staple offering for over a decade. Since 2009, more than 2,000 people have attended these classes, a testament to the inclusive and welcoming environment that Gee and her colleagues have cultivated.

Since 2021 I have been part of the board and since 2022 as the president of the board. So, my dream to be part of Kaaos Company also came true and the connection Gee and I formed in Pyhäjärvi has grown stronger through the years, transcending professional collaboration to become a cherished friendship.

Gee attending a Sunday class.

group of dancers in a class — Dynamic scene from a dance class. Five participants are engaged in expressive movements within a spacious, well-lit room with large windows. In the center, Gunilla with long red hair, wearing a red sweater and white pants, sits in a power wheelchair, extending her arm gracefully. Dancer in motion: she is bent over with their arm outstretched. The room’s polished floor reflects their movements, adding depth to the scene. The atmosphere is one of focus and creativity. Photo credit: Jonna Lehto

Gunilla Sjövall has not only created countless opportunities for dancers with disabilities in Finland but has also tirelessly co-led the country’s leading and only inclusive dance company in its pioneering work. Her impact extends beyond the stage; without Gunilla, essential tasks such as running board meetings, implementing rule changes, and translating texts from English to Finnish and Swedish would not have been managed so effectively.

Gee refers to herself as an owl, and her house is decorated with owl-themed decorations she has received as gifts and purchased herself. Truly, without her wisdom, care, and love, this organization wouldn’t be what it is today, tomorrow, or in ten years. Gee is the real grandma owl of inclusive dance in Finland. Her wit and humor keep things light, making the journey all the more enjoyable.

Artist of the Month Gunilla Sjövall (Gee)

Artist of the Month Gunilla Sjövall (Gee)

Introduction

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Get the latest updates on Art Spark Texas and upcoming events?