Fransu 100 – Frans Toikkanen's 100th anniversary exhibition

The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Saarijärvi-based graphic artist and sculptor Frans Toikkanen. Frans “Fransu” Toikkanen (1926–2008) was a peasant who became a leading figure in contemporary Finnish graphic art scene in the 1970s after making his breakthrough with his cat mezzotints at the Florence International Biennale in 1972.

The Saarijärvi Museum’s 'Fransu 100' anniversary exhibition presents a cross-section of Fransu’s diverse production from the 1950s to the 21st century; nature themed woodcuts, cat mezzotints, sign serigraphy, unique wood and bronze sculptures, and rare gems, Fransu’s never-before-seen works. The artist’s collection of objects from the 1950s onwards is also on display: tools, sketchbooks, photographs and letters.

The 100th anniversary exhibition delves deeper into Fransu's life, his portrait and his artistry than ever before.

The works in the Fransu 100 anniversary exhibition have been collected from the Saarijärvi Museum, the Saarijärvi Mannila Art Foundation, the Beda, Katri and Aune Herala Foundation, the Frans Toikkanen estate, other museums and private collections.