Bird of Ill Omen, 2025

Recycled plexiglass, metal chain, dried flowers

The first Pahanilmanlintu (“Bird of Ill Omen”) sculpture measuring over one meter was created from recycled roofing sheet metal in spring 2024. The work was intended to question Finland’s XV fighter jet program, which resulted in Finland continuing its arms deal with the United States to purchase Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The jets were marketed using imagery inspired by the film Top Gun and slogans emphasizing that the aircraft had been tested in real combat situations. Besides the United States, the only country to have used the F-35 fighter jet in military strikes is Israel. A flying bird, an absolute symbol of freedom, inspiration for early aircraft design. Right at this moment, somewhere out there beyond the screen, metal birds of prey haunt the skies above people on their way home. The bird’s wings were designed to move when pulled. Its design takes inspiration from classic 1980s swan (or goose) baby mobiles. The plexiglass was laser-cut using the silhouette of the F-35 fighter jet. This version is considerably smaller and made from recycled transparent plexiglass, which has been frosted and shaped through wet sanding. A chain leash is visually pulled toward dried flowers (prop) and functions as a counterweight for the wings. Versions of this work has been displayed in following exhibitions NYTT (2026) Turun Taiteentalo Kohtaaminen (2024) in Porin lyhytaaltoasema Behind The Scenes (2024) in Turun Vanha viinatehdas RIKKOMO (2025) in Gallery Pihatto, Gallery Mältinranta, Gallery Luts and Gallery Ars Libera