Olavi
Fellman

Visual Artist  ·  Helsinki, Finland

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Biography
Olavi Fellman

Visual artist,
activist, humanist

Olavi Fellman (b. 1956, Helsinki) is a Finnish visual artist and Master of Philosophy of Art whose work combines ecological themes, political activism and a humanist tradition. Central themes include climate change, peace, democracy and the defence of human dignity.

Fellman's work fuses image and word in a bold, recognizable way — text and visual expression form an inseparable whole. The figures speak directly to the viewer, often in the voice of historical characters.

His work has been exhibited in Finland and internationally, including in Germany, Sweden and Estonia, and is held in collections at home and abroad. The artist is also active in ecological projects and sees art as a tool for social change.

Works
Manifesto

World Elections

The world's elections are waged between those who defend life and the climate, and those who destroy the climate and subjugate life. Reality is often hidden beneath various games — the money game, the power game, or the art game. The world elections put forward different candidates with the aim of bringing to the fore those actors who best understand the climate and creation.

So there is only one real choice. The climate must be saved, and humanity must come to its senses. The world's animals and oppressed people must be protected, and culture and education must be advanced. The world's governance must evolve to become democratic, open, and transparent. The money and power games must be radically controlled and taxed. Wars must be brought to an end, and war criminals and dictators put in prison. War funds and luxury money must be deployed to prevent climate catastrophe and to support an ecological and communally responsible way of life. Greed must be brought under humanity's control, selfishness overcome through education and wisdom, and cowardice through encouragement.

These are the themes of the world elections. Thanks to those who have already taken eco-actions and promoted democracy. Now is the time to participate in the world elections. They take place every day.

— Olavi Fellman

Olavi Fellman
Curriculum Vitae

Education

2004MA in Philosophy of Art, University of Helsinki
2001Bachelor of Arts, University of Helsinki
1990Visual Artist, Maa Art School
1984Bricklayer
1981Bachelor of Social Sciences, University of Tampere

Memberships

2008–Artists' Association of Finland / MUU ry
2020–Association of Finnish Printmakers
1993–Espoo Visual Artists, board member
2026–Espoo Visual Artists, vice president
2023–Kauko Räsänen Atelier Foundation, board member

Contact

+358 50 461 4861

Solo Exhibitions

2026Yhteinen Maailmamme III - Kosminen Kide, Varkaus
2023Simon Petrus Kirche, Hamburg
2023DeFacto Kunsttankstelle, Lübeck (Against Climate Catastrophe)
2022Kondase Centre, Viljandi, Estonia (Save the Climate)
2021Kymenlaakso Provincial Museum, Kotka
2019AMEOS Art Centre, Neustadt, Germany
2018Kanneltalo Cultural Centre, Helsinki

Group Exhibitions

UPCOMINGDigital Art Festival 2026, Kuopio
UPCOMINGBohemian Bunker 2026, Gallery Rankka, Helsinki
2026Antaa Kaikkien Kukkien Kukkia, Gallery Aarni, Espoo
2026WAR AND PEACE, Gallery Rankka, Helsinki
2020ART AGENDA 2030, National Museum, Helsinki

Collections

Pärnu Museum of Art · Kondase Centre, Viljandi · Finnish Art Society · Finnish Association for Nature Conservation

Grants (selection)

Taike · State Art Commission · FRAME · Possehl-Stiftung (Lübeck) · Kone Foundation