Of course you fell, 2026

Oil on canvas

Painting reinterprets the myth of Icarus as a profound exploration of self-criticism and the artist’s internal psyche. By portraying himself as the mythological figure, Vilhonen examines the duality of Icarus: a symbol of both absolute freedom and inherent risk.

In this context, Icarus represents a state of being unburdened by self-doubt—a freedom that allows for a meteoric rise but ultimately precipitates a fall. The conceptual foundation of the work emerged from the pressures of completing a degree project and the subsequent transition into professional independence. Of Course You Fell captures the struggle of navigating the art world on “wings” of one’s own construction, highlighting the difficulty of trusting one’s creative strength when faced with a persistent inner critic.