Finnish Sauna Culture Big in Japan

I’m thrilled to share that my artwork on Finnish sauna culture will be featured in Japan from 2026 to 2027! This upcoming exhibition tour will travel to renowned venues across Japan, including the Toyama Glass Art Museum, Hiroshima Museum of Art, Kogen Museum of Art, and Gallery A-Quad in Tokyo.

This project began back in early 2023 when I collaborated with the Alvar Aalto Foundation on a sauna-themed exhibition for the opening of the Aalto2 Museum. The experience of blending Finnish sauna culture with Aalto’s architectural legacy gave me new perspectives on this tradition and strengthened my connection to it.

My journey into capturing Finnish sauna culture started in 2016, during my time with the VII Photo Agency's Mentor Program. It was my first project focused on exploring my own heritage, allowing me to interpret Finnish culture through a deeply personal lens. What began as an individual journey has grown into a bridge between cultures, as this intimate aspect of Finnish life finds a new home in Japan.

Tales of Istanbul: A Man in the Ferry

In the early mornings, I’d head out alone with my camera, finding a rhythm that felt like mine. It was during these solo walks that I really started to get the hang of photography. The quiet gave me a sense of peace, and I realized I didn’t need music to guide me—just the stillness that helped me truly see. Even now, when I’m in my studio, setting up the lighting for a shot, I crave that same quiet, a space to really connect with what I’m photographing. I used to think that music, especially jazz, was my go-to inspiration. But now, I get that it’s actually the silence that brings the image to life for me.

This picture came from one of those calm mornings, on a ferry to Eminönü. I spotted an old man, fast asleep, all by himself. The ferry was gliding along, and I was there to capture a moment frozen in time—a lonely man dreaming, with the changing scenery gently passing by behind him.

The best pictures I have ever taken were captured in the silence.