The animal called human is in a constant state of change. Evolution, however, is not necessarily development – at least not in the sense that everything is changing toward something better, more refined. But it does speak of constant adaptation, of adjusting to circumstances, of staying alive. Survival.

The once intelligent human has become Homo prodigus, the prodigal son, an unscrupulous abuser responsible for a total planetary crisis, resulting in a great flood – similar to those depicted in ancient mythologies. For some of the flora and fauna, it will mean a dive (back) into the ocean, for others adapting to live on the remaining, scorched dry earth.

Boneyard paints a haunting picture of the future. While the work may be seen as a cautionary image of the disastrous imprint of humankind, its tone is planetarily descriptive: come what may, in some respect life will go on.

Text: Olli Löytty.

Ilkka Virtanen (b. 1963) lives and works in Kangasala, Finland. Virtanen graduated from Kankaanpää Art School in 1992 and has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions since the late 1980s. Virtanen is a member of the Association of Finnish Sculptors and Tampere Artists’ Association. Virtanen has works in collections including The Finnish National Gallery, Tampere Art Museum, and Jyväskylä Art Museum. The exhibition has been kindly supported by The Finnish Cultural Foundation.