Sohvi Nortunen Portfolio

Brain Rotat [Brain Rats], 2026
acrylic paint on canvas
50 x 60 cmBrain Rotat is a self portrait, the name is a word play on the term ‘brain rot’.This painting explores the symbiotic relationship between people and the content they consume with tongue in cheek cute animals and sweet colours toeing the line between nice and grotesque.The rats representing 'brain rot' are burrowed into the subjects head, however instead of trying to get rid of them, she is gently holding one with a smile on her face. The rats keep her happy and, in turn, she provides the rats an environment in which to thrive.

What do you fear, 2026
acrylic paint on paper
35 x 35 cmWhat do you fear is a work inspired by the artist's childhood as a self described 'horsegirl'.The artist writes, “I used to take riding lessons as a child and they would often leave us all alone with these big horses. There where some situations that left me with a fear of getting trampled or kicked to death, so in hindsight probably a bad idea on the staff's part”The piece explores the consept of a unicorn as a scary creauture instead of the caring and gentle archetype often seen in children's media. It uses bright colours you may see in plastic playsets and juxtaposes it with a suffocating atmosphere.

TIRPPA [BIRD], 2026
two plate woodcut printed on hahnemuhle
42 x 60 cm

PUPU S [BUNNY S], 2026
drypoint on acrylic sheet printed on hahnemuhle
7 x 9 cm

feeling bad, looking good, 2025
acrylic paint on canvas
50 x 60 cmFeeling bad, looking good is the last in a line of self-portraits created during a month-long period. The goal of this project was to learn to know oneself both physically and mentally.“I stared at my own face in a mirror in a way I hadn’t had a chance to before, just trying to objectively explore and learn instead of always trying to fix everything. It really got me thinking about how I was always trying to perform femininity.”This painting explores the inner world of the artist and the compulsion to always look her best even if her life is falling apart. It is a comment on how no-one should see a woman struggle or if they do, it must olny occur in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.The subject is sitting on a table in a dirty room, methodically applying makeup. Her back is turned to the viewer, and her face can only been seen through a mirror creating a barrier between her and the audience. The colors of the painting are bright and saturated, creating visual interest in an otherwise mundane scene.

My chungus life, 2025
chalk on paper
250 x 130 cm

Hurja Heppa [Scary Horse], 2026
drypoint on acrylic sheet printed on hahnemuhle
15 x 20 cm