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Creatures of Night and Day – animals take centre stage in a nature photography exhibition at Terranova at the Ostrobothnian Museum
Published: 26.11.2025
A new exhibition opens at Terranova at the Ostrobothnian Museum on 3 December 2025, showcasing South Ostrobothnia’s nature through the eyes of nature photographers Benjam Pöntinen and Jukka Risikko. The photographs feature foxes, owls, flying squirrels, and other creatures with their young.
The exhibition Creatures of Night and Day showcases the works of nature photographers Benjam Pöntinen and Jukka Risikko, offering a glimpse into South Ostrobothnia’s natural world, from the open fields and the forests to the habitats of its animals. The photographs also reveal changes in the landscape and species, prompting reflection on the preservation of biodiversity.
Benjam Pöntinen (b. 1953) is a renowned nature photographer and the author of over thirty photography books. Born in Lapua and living in South Ostrobothnia, Pöntinen is best known for his photographs of flying squirrels and bats, as well as his depictions of South Ostrobothnian landscapes. He has held numerous exhibitions in Finland and abroad, won awards such as Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and is an honorary member of the Finnish Nature Photographers’ Association.
Jukka Risikko (b. 1982) is a pharmacist and self-taught nature photographer from Lapua, whose work has received wide international recognition. He has been photographing the nature of South Ostrobothnia since 2016. Risikko’s photographs have appeared on postage stamps, and his stamp series has twice won the Most Beautiful Stamp of the Year award.
Animal encounters are at the heart of their work
For both photographers, the most important thing is observing animals in their natural environment. Photography requires patience and respect for the animals: sometimes an animal may act in unexpected ways, and the photographer misses the shot, but the memory remains. The guiding principle of their photography is to convey the beauty of nature and remind us of its importance for our well-being.
The collection at Terranova includes a selection of works previously shown at the Museum of South Ostrobothnia and the Nature Centre at Ähtäri Zoo. The exhibition evolves, and some photographs are changed monthly, so each visit offers new perspectives. Terranova’s permanent natural history exhibition provides a natural context for the animal-themed displays.
The exhibition will be on view at Terranova at the Ostrobothnian Museum from 3 December 2025 to 29 March 2026. The exhibition is produced by Museums in Seinäjoki.