Bring Your Ideas to Life
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Copyright.
All presented materials, including texts, images, artistic concepts, projects, sketches, and photographs, are protected by copyright and belong to Andrii Stopin unless otherwise stated.
The use, copying, publication, modification, or distribution of the materials, in whole or in part, is permitted only with the author’s consent and with mandatory attribution.
In the case of using or further developing the presented artistic ideas and concepts, please credit the author or acknowledge co-authorship in an appropriate format.
All presented materials, including texts, images, artistic concepts, projects, sketches, and photographs, are protected by copyright and belong to Andrii Stopin unless otherwise stated.
The use, copying, publication, modification, or distribution of the materials, in whole or in part, is permitted only with the author’s consent and with mandatory attribution.
In the case of using or further developing the presented artistic ideas and concepts, please credit the author or acknowledge co-authorship in an appropriate format.
Andrii Itis / Andrii Stopin
But why
About. Mini project “But Why”.
Andrii Stopin 1987.
This is my project “But Why.”
It emerged from a real story about a penguin that left its group and walked into the mountains.
I create small ceramic sculptures and place them in urban spaces — in locations that, in my view, require care.
The sculpture may be found, taken, or left in place.
Its location is marked on the website.
Link to the real story It emerged from a real story about a penguin that left its group and walked into the mountains.
I create small ceramic sculptures and place them in urban spaces — in locations that, in my view, require care.
The sculpture may be found, taken, or left in place.
Its location is marked on the website.
Really history
After I came across this story, I came up with the idea of creating a miniature sculpture that I wanted to place in locations that call for departure.
Author of the concept: Andrii Stopin.
Sculpture: Sui Chi Pak.
Author of the concept: Andrii Stopin.
Sculpture: Sui Chi Pak.
1. Old abandoned building. Finland, city of Helsinki.
I found an old building in Finland and placed a small ceramic sculpture there.
It is a gesture of letting go of the past — unfinished matters, internal attachments, things that should no longer hold you back.
The object remains in place.
It can be found, taken, or left behind.
📍 Location: [address / coordinates]
Kirkonkyläntie 31, 00700 Helsinki
It is a gesture of letting go of the past — unfinished matters, internal attachments, things that should no longer hold you back.
The object remains in place.
It can be found, taken, or left behind.
📍 Location: [address / coordinates]
Kirkonkyläntie 31, 00700 Helsinki
Mini project "But why".
A ceramic penguin leaves its group and travels alone through urban spaces, becoming a quiet symbol of personal choice and departure from what no longer belongs to it. Each object is placed in the city and can be found, taken, and continued by others.
Here I show where they are located so they can be found and collected. An author’s miniature sculpture with a conceptual meaning.
Finland, coordinates.
Kirkonkyläntie 31, 00700 Helsinki
Here I show where they are located so they can be found and collected. An author’s miniature sculpture with a conceptual meaning.
Finland, coordinates.
Kirkonkyläntie 31, 00700 Helsinki
Moments in Space
An artist from Hong Kong created a small ceramic penguin sculpture for me. A special mould was made, and the piece was kiln-fired. The sculpture was produced by a person who truly loves her craft and is a professional in her field.
Магазин / Авторские объекты
SKU: 700.954.29
$
100
Shop / Author Objects
The works presented in the shop are produced in a limited edition and are part of the “But Why” project.
Each sculpture is handmade by an artist from Hong Kong who works with fine ceramics. Special ceramic clay is used, and the pieces are professionally kiln-fired.
The forms and concepts of the objects are based on my original sketches. Thus, each work is the result of a dialogue between artistic intention and handcrafted execution.
The works presented in the shop are produced in a limited edition and are part of the “But Why” project.
Each sculpture is handmade by an artist from Hong Kong who works with fine ceramics. Special ceramic clay is used, and the pieces are professionally kiln-fired.
The forms and concepts of the objects are based on my original sketches. Thus, each work is the result of a dialogue between artistic intention and handcrafted execution.
Blog
Process documentation: observations, stages of work, and the internal logic of the project.
Second location: Hong Kong.
Discover. reflect
A ceramic penguin embarks on a solo journey, departing from its group to explore the world. Sculptures are placed near abandoned buildings, inviting a dialogue with the forgotten. Each piece, marked with coordinates, awaits discovery and a new beginning. This project explores themes of independence, change, and the beauty of unexpected encounters. Find a sculpture and start your own story.
Address.
A small penguin sculpture is installed near an old building in Hong Kong. It stands with its back turned to the architecture of the past, its gaze directed toward open space and the mountains. This gesture captures a moment of choice — to leave behind what has ended and move toward an unknown future.
📍 Location: [address / coordinates]
📍 Location: [address / coordinates]
Find and take.
Penguin sculptures are placed in urban space near old and abandoned buildings. Each work has precise coordinates and exists outside the exhibition space — in the real environment of the city.
This is not an object for passive observation, but an invitation to action. Anyone can find the sculpture and take it with them.
The project exists in the moment of encounter: between the city, the person, and a chance discovery. After that, the moment no longer belongs to the author, but to the one who finds it.
Hong Kong coordinates.
This is not an object for passive observation, but an invitation to action. Anyone can find the sculpture and take it with them.
The project exists in the moment of encounter: between the city, the person, and a chance discovery. After that, the moment no longer belongs to the author, but to the one who finds it.
Hong Kong coordinates.
The “Penguin / But Why” project also exists in the digital space. On TikTok, the penguin’s image is gradually evolving and becoming part of contemporary visual trends.
At the moment, the project is not widely popular; however, for me, what matters more is not engagement statistics, but the process of its existence and movement across different environments — both physical and digital.
I do not focus on constantly tracking likes and metrics, viewing the project as a living artistic system rather than a media product.
At the moment, the project is not widely popular; however, for me, what matters more is not engagement statistics, but the process of its existence and movement across different environments — both physical and digital.
I do not focus on constantly tracking likes and metrics, viewing the project as a living artistic system rather than a media product.
Find Your Penguin
Become a part of the experience. Locate a sculpture and give it a new home. Each piece is waiting to be found and become a part of your journey.
- ExplorationLocate sculptures placed in urban environments.
- DiscoveryFind a sculpture at the marked location.
- EngagementTake a sculpture and give it a new home.
- InteractionShare your experience with the project.
A separate website presenting the artistic practice under the real name Andrii Stopin, including exhibitions, projects, and a professional portfolio.
Biography.
1987. Estonia, Ukraine, Finland, Hong Kong.
I have been working with art for a long time, starting with academic art education and a classical painting school. I graduated with honors from the painting department, also studied sculpture and drawing, and trained under Honored Artists of Ukraine, for which I still feel deep gratitude.
This foundation gave me discipline and an understanding of form, but over time my practice began to move beyond the academic system. I participated in exhibitions and worked in different artistic contexts, gradually shifting toward more open and experimental formats.
Today I work across painting, sculpture, and performative practices, exploring the interaction between the human being, space, and chance-based action. For me, it is important not to remain fixed in one medium, but to move toward where the idea requires a new form.
My works and projects have been presented in various exhibition and international contexts — supported by recommendation letters, publications, and experience — but прежде всего this is the experience of practice itself, with its struggle, effort, and moments of creative fulfillment.
Respectfully,
Andrii Stopin / pseudonym Andrii Itis
This foundation gave me discipline and an understanding of form, but over time my practice began to move beyond the academic system. I participated in exhibitions and worked in different artistic contexts, gradually shifting toward more open and experimental formats.
Today I work across painting, sculpture, and performative practices, exploring the interaction between the human being, space, and chance-based action. For me, it is important not to remain fixed in one medium, but to move toward where the idea requires a new form.
My works and projects have been presented in various exhibition and international contexts — supported by recommendation letters, publications, and experience — but прежде всего this is the experience of practice itself, with its struggle, effort, and moments of creative fulfillment.
Respectfully,
Andrii Stopin / pseudonym Andrii Itis
Reviews
I confirm that the presented reviews are authentic.
Blog. Every sixth sheet is placed above the first one.
Andrii Itis /Andrii Stopin
Artist
Here I want not only to present, but also to explain who I am and how I think. It is important for me to convey a sense of a living process, rather than to create a “designed website” or a static photo album.
My art exists as a continuous inner state and a process of thinking — it first takes place in my mind and only then takes on a physical form.
Here I want not only to present, but also to explain who I am and how I think. It is important for me to convey a sense of a living process, rather than to create a “designed website” or a static photo album.
My art exists as a continuous inner state and a process of thinking — it first takes place in my mind and only then takes on a physical form.
1
Childhood PhotoThe photograph shows the artist in childhood. This material is included in the blog as part of a visual archive reflecting a personal history and the early stages of the development of an artistic perspective.
Workshop / Artistic ActivityAs part of a fair event, a collaborative artistic process was conducted in which participants painted ceramic forms in the style of national decorative painting.
The project was realized in collaboration with Sui Chi Pak and is aimed at introducing traditional visual motifs through hands-on interaction with the material. Each participant created their own interpretation of decorative ornament on a ceramic base.
The work combines elements of cultural exchange, manual practice, and collective artistic experience.
The project was realized in collaboration with Sui Chi Pak and is aimed at introducing traditional visual motifs through hands-on interaction with the material. Each participant created their own interpretation of decorative ornament on a ceramic base.
The work combines elements of cultural exchange, manual practice, and collective artistic experience.
Wedding PhotographThe photograph captures a moment from a wedding uniting representatives of different cultures — a Ukrainian man and a Chinese woman.
The material is included in the archive as part of a personal and cultural history, reflecting themes of intercultural interaction, connection, and a shared life journey.
The material is included in the archive as part of a personal and cultural history, reflecting themes of intercultural interaction, connection, and a shared life journey.
Museum. Vantaa. Finland.
Meeting with a Museum CuratorA working meeting was held with a curator from one of the museums as part of the preparation for an exhibition project.
During the discussion, the exhibition concept, possible formats of participation, and preliminary conditions for presenting the works in a museum space were considered. The meeting became part of the preparation process for a future exhibition and professional engagement with the museum environment.
During the discussion, the exhibition concept, possible formats of participation, and preliminary conditions for presenting the works in a museum space were considered. The meeting became part of the preparation process for a future exhibition and professional engagement with the museum environment.
Master class.
Invited Participation in a Workshop (Hong Kong)I was an invited guest at an art workshop in Hong Kong.
The participation took place in the form of professional exchange and interaction with other artists. The event provided an opportunity to become acquainted with different practices and approaches to working with materials and artistic techniques.
The participation took place in the form of professional exchange and interaction with other artists. The event provided an opportunity to become acquainted with different practices and approaches to working with materials and artistic techniques.
Did you like this article?
I present to your attention a selection of, in my opinion, some of my best works.
Andrii Itis
Andrii Stopin
Images: Andrii Stopin, Sui Chi Pak
Before use, please review the Terms of Use for the material. 2026
Before use, please review the Terms of Use for the material. 2026
