The Zabludowicz Collection is spreading its wings. Adding to their foundation, housed in a North London former Methodist chapel, and 1500, a project space in the New York offices of the Zabludowicz-owned Tamares Real Estate, supercollectors Anita and Poju Zabludowicz have announced the collection's artist residency program on the island of Sarvisalo, a 28 kilometer-square strip of land 90 minutes east of the Finnish capital.

The Zabludowicz family has a particular relationship to Finland. Business magnate and lobbyist Poju — whose personal worth is estimated at £1,500 million — was born in Helsinki, and the couple has been acquiring estates on the island of Sarvisalo since the 1970s.

“Sarvisalo is embedded in our hearts and is part of our family history,” said Anita. “For many years we have enjoyed our home here and have fallen in love with this beautiful island. It feels very natural to preserve the heritage of the island and to bring together the inspiration we feel here with our passion for art. From this has evolved a residency programme and what will be an international centre for creativity.”

The artist residency has effectively been operational for the last two years. Artists Laura Buckley, Sarah Braman, Toby Ziegler, Richard Woods, and Matthew Day Jackson have all spent time on the island. Woods and Day Jackson were even commissioned to produce new works on site.

The Zabludowiczs' homes on Sarvisalo comprise Suvinkunta, a cluster of houses and workshops acting as the hub for the residency; Herman's, a 17th century manor house and “art barn” in the island's main village of Härkäpää; and the Carpenter's House, which offers further workshops and secondary buildings. Artworks from the collection by the likes of Jeppe Hein, Franz West, Eva Rosthschild, and James Ireland are dotted around the properties.

Access to the residency is by invitation only, and the buildings are currently not open to the public, although the Zabludowicz Collection aims to welcome groups in the near future.