Photo by Chikako Harada
Sakari Kannosto (Finnish, b. 1973) is a multimedia artist working in Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa, Finland, with a primary focus on ceramic sculptures and large-scale installations. His fantastical and figurative creatures are inspired by fables, Greek mythology, and Finnish folklore. As he sculpts part-human, part-mermaid, part-animal beings, he references the Finnish myth that animals can shape-shift, traveling between worlds as protectors. Imbued with whimsy and humor, Kannosto’s work is also underscored by a deep environmental consciousness. By reimagining a future where humans unite with nature to create adaptive, survivalist families, Kannosto addresses the potentially disastrous environmental consequences brought on by the industrialized world. For Kannosto, clay is crucial to the actualization of his work. As an ancient medium, it has long been a conduit for coded information. He continues in this vein, luring magic out of the clay as he creates a cast of creatures for modern fairytales. There is something deeply hopeful here.
Kannosto graduated from Helsinki's Academy of Fine Arts in 2005. In 2014, he was granted an honorary award for environmental education due to his work as a lecturer and educator. After completing an artist-in-residence at the Arabia Art Department in Helsinki, he became a permanent member of the department in January 2020 and is now the chairman of the board. He is a Lecturer of Fine Arts at Omnia in Espoo and has exhibited widely. Notably, his work can be found in the collections of the National Museum of Finland and the Art Museum of Tampere.
SAKARI KANNOSTO
b. 1973, Helsinki, Finland
EDUCATION
2011
Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Sciences
2005
Academy of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture, Helsinki, Finland
1998
UIAH, Open University of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland
1994
Visual Arts School of Helsinki, Finland
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
The Age of Aquarius, Galleria Pictor, Nummela, Finland
2022
Children of the Flood, HB381, New York, NY
Leirintäalue, Mänttä, Finland
Spring Song, S/E/B Bank, Window Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2021
On The Beach, Gumbostrand Konst & Form, Sipoo, Finland
2020
Mole, Chantarelle & Lollipop Tree, Galleria Saskia, Tampere, Finland
2018
Ark I, Library of Sello, Espoo, Finland
Media Igloo, Gallery Mältinranta, Finland
Media Igloo, Omnia, Espoo, Finland
2017
Ceramic Art, Restaurant Silvoplee, Helsinki, Finland
Ark I, Omnia, Espoo, Finland
Sakari Kannosto, Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki Finland
2014
Afri-Chicken, Gran Popo, Benin
2013
Border, Omnia, Espoo, Finland
2007
Dream Speed, Galleria Katariina, Helsinki, Finland
2003
Beach Gallery, Järvenpää, Finland
Tieto-Enator, Gallen Kallela Museum, Espoo, Finland
2002
Perho Perhe, Butterfly Family, Sörnäinen, Helsinki, Finland
1999
Sculptures, Inaugural Exhibition, Kulttuuriareena Gloria, Helsinki, Finland
1998
Sculptures, Restaurant Cantina West, Helsinki, Finland
TURN-ON, Sörnäinen Art House, Helsinki, Finland
TURN-ON, Stoa-galleria, Helsinki, Finland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Ikipuhe, Culture House Jaatsi, Sastamala, Finland
2023
Northern Latitude 60.20890: The Arabia Art Department Society’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Iittala & Arabia Design Centre, Helsinki, Finland
Atelier Life, Hvitträsk National Museum of Finland, Kirkkonummi, Finland
2022
Imago Mundi, Surrealism Exhibition, Gallery Ice Room, Joutsa, Finland
Camping site, Art House Brander, Mänttä, Finland
2021
Culture Action, Grand Popo, Benin
Contemporary Finnish Artists, Hostler Burrows, New York, NY
Clay Ceremony: Riska, Kannosto, Anoschkin, Huotari, Riitahuhta, Muji, Helsinki, Finland
On the Edge, Korundi, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Finland
Burning Desire, Avantgardevekkula, Haihatus, Joutsa, Finland
TEOS, Suvilahti, Helsinki, Finland
2020
Animal Dam, Topi Ruotsalainen, Galleria Pato, Kuusankoski, Finland
Arabia Art Department Society: New Seasons, Muji, Kamppi, Finland
Erotic Art Vol 2., Galleria Pirkko-Liisa Topelius, Helsinki, Finland
Group Exhibition, S/E/B Bank Gallery, Etelä-Esplanadi 18, Helsinki, Finland
Ceramega 2020, Särmä, Voipaala Art Center, Voipaala, Finland
Avantgardevekkula, Haihatus, Joutsa, Finland
Forest Primeval, Inaugural Exhibition, Hostler Burrows, Los Angeles, CA
TEOS 2020, Cable Factory, Helsinki, Finland
2019
Finlayson, Art Area, Himmelblau, Tampere, Finland
Group Exhibition, curated by Marja Helander, Mänttä, Finland
Group Exhibition, Iittala & Arabia Design Center, Helsinki, Finland
2018
Karhulan Hovi, Haihatus, Joutsa, Finland
Gallery Old Smoke, Merikarvia, Finland
About Clay, Fiskars Village, Finland
2016
Kari Hakli, Kukka Paavilainen, Sakari Kannosto, Galleria Pirkko-Liisa Topelius, Helsinki, Finland
2015
Sculptures, Art Goes Kapakka, Tsiigaa! Goes Graffiti, Cafe Engel, Helsinki, Finland
The News Play of the Week, Haihatus, Joutsa, Finland
2014
Ceramics and Space: The Exhibition of Contemporary Finnish Ceramics, Design Museo, Helsinki, Finland
Objekti, Espoo Kunsthalle, Finland
2013
Border, Hyvinkään Asuntomessut, Hyvinkää, Finland
Artist Chain, Blaue Fraue-group, Diana Teather, Helsinki, Finland
2012
Artists 2012, Helsinki Kunsthalle, Finland
Art Forum, Helsinki Kunsthalle, Finland
Ceramega, Voipaala Art Center, Valkeakoski, Finland
2011
Art Forum, Exhibition Hall of Helsinki, Finland
Ars Auttoinen, Ovi Rivoon, Finland
2010
FIDEM, Tampere Art Museum, Finland
2009
Dream Speed, Honkahovi, Mänttä, Finland
2008
Annual Exhibition of the Finnish Artists’ Association, Kuntsin Nykytaiteen Museo, Finland
Behind the Mustache, Cable factory, Helsinki, Finland
Miracle Art, Taidekeskus Ihana
2007
Tsiigaa, Art Goes Kapakka, Helsinki, Finland
V.I.P. 25 – Best Artists in the Finland, Curator Jani Leinonen, Mänttä, Finland
2006
Art Supermarket, Gallerry Pikasso, Helsinki, Finland
2005
HOME, Vanha Kappalaisentalo, Porvoo, Finland
Academy of Fine Arts, Graduate Exhibition, Helsinki Art Museum, Tennispalatsi, Finland
Finnish Medal Guild, Tampere Art Museum, Finland
2004
V.I.P – Academy of Fine Art, Helsinki, Finland
White, V.I.P Ruukki, Fiskars Village, Finland
Ceramic, Voipaala Art Center, Valkeakoski, Finland
Hehku! – Ceramic Happening, Kankaanpää, Finland
2003
Academy of Fine Arts, Group Exhibition, Helsinki, Finland
2002
Medallic Art on Purnu, Orivesi, Finland
2001
Forces of light, MEMORY, Esplanadi, Helsinki, Finland
Exhibition of Young Artists, Helsinki Kunsthalle, Finland
2000
Terror 2000, ROR –Group, Nordic House, Reykjavik, Iceland
Terror 2000, ROR –Group, INTO gallery, Helsinki, Finland
COLLECTIONS
The Guild of Medallic Art of Finland
National Museum of Finland
Art Museum of Tampere, Finland
State Art Collection of Finland
MEMBERSHIPS
Vantaa Artist Association
Arabia Art Department Society
The Guild of Medallic Art of Finland
Association of Finnish sculptors
Helsinki Artist Association
