Emmi Jormalainen won Mikkeli’s 14th Illustration Triennial

The exhibition will be on display at the Mikkeli Art Museum on 13 June to 13 September 2026.

47 illustrators participate in Mikkeli’s 14th Illustration Triennial. Of their works, 77 are presented at the exhibition. The illustration triennial showcases a diverse selection of contemporary illustration published in Finland over the past three years. In addition to print materials, contemporary illustrations are visible in digital spaces and urban environments which utilise new technologies.

The works presented in the exhibition and the illustrations awarded at the opening were chosen by a jury which includes visual artist Pauliina Mäkelä, AD Tony Eräpuro, illustrator Nina Pirhonen, illustrator Evi Rinkinen as well as Museum Director Matti Karttunen as the representative of the Mikkeli Art Museum.

PRIZE WINNERS AT MIKKELI’S 14th ILLUSTRATION TRIENNIAL:
1st PRIZE, €4000, Grafia: Emmi Jormalainen, Helsinki; Näkyvillä, piilossa, 2025, HAM and City of Helsinki
2nd PRIZE, €3000, Kuvittajat: Milena Huhta, Helsinki; Aviopari, 2024, Suomen Kuvalehti
3rd PRIZE, €2000, Mikkeli Art Museum: Antti Kalevi, Helsinki; Seasonal illustrations for Restaurant Kirsikka, Autumn menu, 2023, Restaurant Kirsikka

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Juliana Hyrri, Helsinki; Kouluväkivalta jättää syvät arvet koko elämäksi – Miksi sitä yhä vähätellään?, 2023, Helsingin Sanomat
Rakastaja Robert, Helsinki; Kaikkien Baana, 2025, City of Helsinki

The illustration triennial is a competition organised every three years; this year, 159 illustrators participated with 418 works. The participants had a free choice of the theme, execution an technique for the competition works. The event is jointly organised by the Mikkeli Art Museum, the Association of Visual Communication Designers in Finland Grafia and the Finnish Illustration Association Kuvittajat. Mikkeli’s Illustration Triennial was founded in 1987. In connection to Mikkeli’s 14th Illustration Triennial, we honour the memory of Kari Piippo. The internationally renowned graphic designer Kari Piippo from Mikkeli died on 30 December 2024. He was one of the founders of Mikkeli’s Illustration Triennial.

The illustration triennial publication will be published later in the summer and will feature Nina Andelin’s article Long live craftsmanship and Henna Paunu’s article Places for stories and characters – illustration in EMMA’s public art. The graphic design of the publication and the visual identity of the illustration triennial are by graphic designer Tino Nyman. The exhibition architecture is by Tarja Kunttunen.

Mikkelin taidemuseo / Mikkeli Art Museum
Kauppakeskus Akseli 2. krs. Maaherrankatu 18–20, 50100