In the OAF x Espoo program, art will be showcased at the Länsimetro (West Metro) stations in Tapiola, Espoonlahti, and Kivenlahti from August 21 to September 21, 2026. The artists featured in the exhibition are Juha Pesonen, Riina Noro, and Mikael Valjakka. The exhibition opening will be celebrated on August 21 at EMMA in the OAF X EMMA event.
Juha Pesonen is a visual creator, as well as a manual and mental worker from Tampere, who lives through visual arts, life, and contemplation. Through his art, he seeks to map the human aspects of life and to understand the relationship between humans, history, and the surrounding world. Pesonen’s works have been displayed in several exhibitions, and he has been established as an ITE and outsider artist.
Riina Noro is a versatile artist who creates art using a variety of materials, ranging from textile sculptures to animations. In Noro’s artworks, a wild mix of characters—human figures, representatives of the animal kingdom, and hybrid types—frolic and weave about unrestrainedly. She explores current societal themes in her work, without forgetting the individual’s perspective amidst all the hustle and bustle. In 2023, Noro was selected as Kettuki’s Artist of the Year.
Mikael Valjakka is a visual artist working at the Kaarisilta Art Studio in Lahti. Despite his young age, his exhibition career already dates back to 2010. His expression is built on clear surfaces and skillfully rhythmized lines, which allow him to consistently distill the very essence of his subjects. Valjakka often chooses animals and nature as his themes, gathering inspiration for his works by observing plants and birds during his walks.
The Länsimetro exhibitions are produced in collaboration with Espoo Cultural Services and Länsimetro.
