The 2025 Oulunsalo Soi Visual Artist of the Year, Aapo Kukko, is a comic artist, illustrator, and scriptwriter originally from Kemi, who has over time become rooted in Oulu. The festival’s visual identity is based on a work by the Visual Artist of the Year, and Kukko’s exhibition Red Beethoven will be on display at the Oulunsalo Library from August 7 to September 26, 2025. Kukko will also take part in one of the festival’s concerts by creating live illustrations.
Kukko specializes in narratives that explore recent history, often with strong factual foundations. The exhibition at Oulunsalo Library is based on his upcoming graphic novel Red Beethoven, set to be published in autumn 2026. The work delves into various periods in the life of Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, spanning several decades.
Since 2008, Aapo Kukko has created over a dozen graphic novels, either independently, in collaboration with scriptwriters, or as part of a team. His comics and illustrations have been published in outlets such as Kaltio, Ilta-Sanomat, and Kaleva, as well as on posters for the IIK!! Horror Film Festival. For several years, he has also led comic clubs in schools throughout the Oulu region.
Aapo enjoys following culture in all its forms and is also an avid hobbyist of badminton, water jogging, and long dog walks with his wife.