Ilai Elias Lehto: Strange play

Strange play (20.9.2025-11.1.2026)

There are those who know how to play the part of a child and others who don’t even realize that they’re playing the part of an adult. Where are the boundaries and the common rules of play drawn? How do toys play when they’re left alone?

Ilai Elias Lehto’s solo exhibition extends from the artist’s studio beyond the boundaries of the playground, challenging the audience to explore the limits of play at the Kimmo Pyykkö Art Museum from 20 September 2025 to 11 January 2026.

Ilai Elias Lehto (b. 1988, Joensuu) is a sculptor from North Karelia, eastern Finland, now based in Tampere. He primarily works with soft and recycled materials, mixing and fusing the traditions and techniques of fine arts and textiles craftsmanship. A recurring element in many of his works is the use of soft or furry surfaces that invite touch, such as the faux fur of plush toys, corduroy, or felting wool. The toy-like shapes and gentle textures in Lehto’s art often conceal profound questions about life itself.

Kimmo Pyykkö Art Museum, 1st and 2nd floor