Tommi Toija - Little Coward

Who’s Afraid of the Ice Man? – Not Me, That’s For Sure!”

A joyful children’s game comes to mind when looking at Tommi Toija’s (b. 1974, Lapua) sculpture Little Coward. Since creating Little Coward in 2003, Toija has been shaping his own imaginative world, where little boys, girls, and old men venture through life’s twists and turns. The artist has said that he is fascinated by human faces and the emotions they convey.

Toija’s charming figures speak directly to the viewer, and it’s impossible not to smile at their mischievous, sad, or delighted expressions. Behind the humour lies Toija’s precise craftsmanship and keen observational perspective. His sculptures often evoke not only delight but also curiosity and a sense of empathy.