Striking Dystopian-Like Ceramic Sculpture, Soothsayer by Sakari Kannosto 2022

A large and visually arresting ceramic sculpture by Sakari Kannosto, “Soothsayer” presents itself as a powerful red fish-like creature with multiple eyes and a wide metallic grin. Its rounded, sizeable form and intense surface texture give it an almost dystopian presence, as if observing the world with heightened awareness.

Kannisto describes it as a fish of the future, a many-eyed seer watching our environment and climate from the sidelines. It feels at once humorous and unsettling, an outsider that seems to carry a message. The vivid red glaze, layered with weathered tones, reinforces its otherworldly nature and makes the sculpture a commanding object in any space.

The piece is large and heavy. Please see the photo of it being held by a person. The piece is directly from the artist. Kannosto is known for his imaginative hybrid creatures and environmental narratives, and Sooth Sayer is one of the most characteristic expressions of that vision in recent years.

Sakari Kannosto (b. 1973) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki and has held numerous exhibitions in Finland and abroad. His works are represented in major public collections including the Finnish State Art Collection, EMMA, the Tampere Art Museum and Aalto University. In recent years his pieces have also been shown in New York and at international fairs such as TEFAF and Design Miami. Kannosto has also created several public artworks in the Helsinki metropolitan area, including KIERTÄÄ / CIRCLE (2020) for Aalto University’s Töölö campus, Seitsenmeren Ihmeet (Wonders of the Seven Seas) 2019–2025 for the EMMA collection in Tapiola, Espoo, and Sirahvi Gate (2025) in Arabia, Helsinki, produced in collaboration with the Arabia Art Department Society. He served as a visiting artist at the Arabia Art Department Society in 2019 and was selected as a full member in 2020. His hybrid ceramic animals have positioned him as one of the notable successors to the tradition of Finnish sculptural ceramics, most notably as a successor to Michael Schilkin (1900–1962).