Pena Penna / Pentti Väistö

Tohmajärvi

Pentti Väistö, whose stage name is Pena Penna, became a full-time ITE artist after leaving behind a long career as a journalist. During the last couple of decades of his career, he reported to the Finnish media, especially from Eastern Central Europe, the Balkans and Russia.

The years of life spent in different cultural environments can be seen in his work as abundant bursts of themes and delights with colours. The narrative titles of the works also give the works a subtle humorous extra colour and childlikeness.

Pena Penna has also been able to present his work outside Finland and has held several exhibitions in Montenegro and Serbia, among other places. In Serbia, his two works were also exhibited at the Triennial of the prestigious Museum of Marginal and Naïve Art in Jagodina and Belgrade in 2025.

Montenegrin sculptor David Vušurović has described Penna’s work as follows: “In the frenetic world of contemporary art, Pena Penna stands out for his distinctive style, which is characterized by a colourful and abstract approach. It captivates viewers with its amazing blend of childlike wonder combined with sophisticated artistry. His own genre of ‘penalism’ encompasses a rich palette and dynamic forms that evoke a sense of boundless imagination and creativity.

Pentti’s creations are not just visual experiences, but emotional journeys, where each work has a deep sense of playfulness and depth. His ability to transform complex emotions into visually impressive compositions is truly impressive. By harnessing the essence of abstraction and adding a fresh, childlike perspective to it, Pentti manages to bridge the gap between innocence and insight.

At its core, Pentti’s art invites us to explore the world through the lens of vivid spontaneity, making every interaction with his work a refreshing and enriching experience.”

Nowadays, Pena Penna spends three seasons in Southern Greece and the summer in Finland in Tohmajärvi in North Karelia.