In my work, I search to magnify the interiority of trees, seeking to share the inter-twined story of our existences.
Each sculpture is a token of the ancestral ties between us the Finns and our forest, through the natural lines and veins of wood. Every block of wood holds a promise of poetry in organic form. My research in verticality explores the connection between the earth and the sky, symbolised by the roots (the past), the trunk (the present), and the crown (the future). I sculpt the trunk, the visible part, the now. My objective is to capture a moment of movement and lightness in wood and in clay.
I take inspiration from the intimate relationship I have always had with the forest that so closely surrounds us in Finland. At the heart of my work is the translation of a collective cultural memory that has been preserved to this day.
Every sculpture illustrates the beauty and frailty of nature—of its forests, lakes, and seas. I explore my relationship to trees, to the creatures that call them home, and the tales they hold.They become more than just material; they are partners in life, keepers of family histories, and a mirror to our existence.
The wood I choose for my sculptures comes from trees that I have seen grow and that have seen me grow in return. I allow the wood to guide my work, bringing out its natural beauty and intricacies. It is a material that stays alive even after being cut and sculpted, ever-changing and continuing to interact with its surroundings. Color has always been central to my creations and I juxtapose quite often natural materials with a touch of bright color.
I always enjoy the hands-on experience of sculpting wood, keeping alive the age-old tradition of shaping it with gouges and mallet. My inspiration also comes from reusing materials like paper, leather, plastic, and metal, even all my wood is recuperated from various sites. Each find offers new chances for exploration and a different perspective.
Sustainable practices in art as well as everyday life is a big concern for me. It defines how my process unfolds and the development of new series and ideas.
The immersive experience of my work is a connection to nature through visual poetry.