This June, the museum block will get a new look as the playful characters created by visual artist Ilona Niemi (b. 1975) take over the walls surrounding the museum.

The collage-based series of works, Personae Aboenses, is inspired by people who used to live in the museum area as well as other familiar Turku residents from the 16^th century to this day. The large-scale characters combine people, animals and different eras. The public outdoor exhibition is on display indefinitely and can be freely admired from outside the museum.

Get to know all the wonderful characters of Personae Aboenses below! Who is your favourite?

1. Vauhti kiihtyy – Picking up speed 
These two disco frogs share the same energy, zest for life and sense of rhythm as the beloved musician brothers from Turku. 

2. Flying Finn
Flying Finn, a peregrine falcon, keeps his eyes fixed on the statue of his idol, Paavo Nurmi. The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world, and the patterns on the bird’s tracksuit come from a cheetah, the fastest land animal in the world.  

3. Tärppästikku the Snitch 
Tärppästikku is observing a suspicious cat from underneath the foliage, thinking she might be a witch.

4. Midsummer Guest 
In the early 1900s, Turku residents used to celebrate Midsummer in the neighbouring archipelago. Those who could not leave the city climbed up one of the local hills to celebrate. With its steps, Rettiginrinne serves as a modern Midsummer Hill by the palace for all urban residents to enjoy. 

5. Eva and James
Eva Merthen’s (1723–1811) family lived by the Great Old Square. She was an intelligent woman, renowned for her particularly beautiful eyes. A Scottish-born military commander, James Keith, also lived in the vicinity. James fell in love with Eva, and their love story was later immortalised in Finnish literature by Zacharias Topelius.

6. Patroness
Patroness is based on Elin Såger, a driven woman who lived in the museum area in the 1600s. After her husband died, Elin took over the family business, becoming the first-ever female industrial leader and the largest employer in Finland. She was in charge of various ironworks and the Turku Trading House, which earned her the name “Patroness”. 

7. Après Sauna 
This stylish swan pair has just enjoyed a sauna with their friends. A bathhouse called Auran kylpylaitos located in the area from 1874 to 1907, and in the near future, a new sauna-related project will take place at Aboa Vetus Ars Nova.

 8. Anna and Anders
The merchant couple, Anna and Anders Baer, lived in the museum area in the 1700s. Anders started his career as a peddler and became an important shipowner and merchant. After his death, Anna took charge of the business, becoming one of the richest merchants in Finland. Together with two other widows, she demanded the right for women to vote in the parliamentary elections of 1771 – unfortunately without success. 

 9. Spöring
The Spöring lizard is based on Herman Spöring the Younger (1733–1771), a naturalist and adventurer who took part in James Cook’s first voyage to Australia. You can find a memorial to Spöring on the museum wall.

10. Valpuri 
Valpuri the Cat is known not only for her second sight but also for her mastery of healing herbs. She is based on Valpuri Kyni, a 17th-century woman who was the only accused witch in Finland to be water-tested in the River Aura. She survived the test but later had both of her ears cut off.

11. Arno
Arno pays tribute to gardening guru Arno Kasvi, who can tell you everything about plants in his lush Turku dialect. 

12. Kaarina
This sea bird, looking towards Sweden, is based on Catherine Magnusdotter, known in Finnish as Kaarina Maununtytär (1550–1612). Kaarina was a commoner who became the Queen of Sweden as the wife of King Eric XIV. Her humble background was one of the reasons behind the rebellion to capture and overthrow Eric from the throne. Kaarina followed her husband to Turku Castle, where Eric was imprisoned. She is buried in Turku Cathedral.

13. Fredrika 
Fredrika is based on the author Fredrika Runeberg (1807–1879), who spent her childhood in the museum area. Her writing focuses on the female experience. Fredrika was married to Finland’s national poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg, and she is also known for her Runeberg cakes. 

References:
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova.
Rauno Lahtinen, Turku 1911: elämää sata vuotta sitten, 2010.
Marko Nenonen, Valpuri Kyni – noitanainen, www.uta.fi/laitokset/historia/noitanetti, 20 May 2026. 

In her works, Ilona Niemi portrays humanity through other species. Having studied in the United States and Scotland, she holds a master’s degree in fine arts. Her works have been exhibited in group exhibitions at the Royal Scottish Academy (2022), Turku Art Museum (2007) and the National Portrait Gallery in London (2022). She has held solo exhibitions in the art museums of Joensuu and Salo (2018 and 2014). Niemi’s first collage-based character gallery was seen in front of EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art during 2019–2021.

Inquiries:
Terhi Tuomi
Head of Exhibitions
terhi.tuomi@avan.fi
0400 786 053