Peukaloisen puutarha
(Little Thumbling's Garden)
(Little Thumbling's Garden)
One of my most vivid memories is of lying under berry bushes at my grandmother’s house, imagining myself as small as Thumbling. In my mind, the berries appeared enormous, and I dreamed of eating them endlessly. Sometimes, I imagined myself even smaller, climbing inside a raspberry to eat it from the inside out. This childhood vision inspired the original idea for the daycare artwork, which included a large raspberry relief under the stairs. Unfortunately, budget limitations forced me to omit this element, but I created oversized berries, flowers, and a pea pod for the upper part of the staircase. These elements are meant to evoke memories of a time when everything felt larger and the world appeared in a different scale.
Literary and Visual Inspirations Behind My Work
Another significant influence is The Secret Book of Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet, whose detailed and imaginative depictions of a gnome’s world left a lasting impression on me. Its intricately illustrated, storybook-style presentation made it feel like a genuine guide to an alternate reality.
As an adult, I discovered a similar atmosphere in Studio Ghibli’s film The Secret World of Arrietty (2010). The film’s depiction of small characters navigating a gigantic human world using everyday objects captivated me. The detailed, whimsical perspective shared by these influences resonates strongly in my work. As an adult, I discovered a similar atmosphere in Studio Ghibli’s film The Secret World of Arrietty (2010).
The film’s depiction of small characters navigating a gigantic human world using everyday objects captivated me. The detailed, whimsical perspective shared by these influences resonates strongly in my work.
Pilvimänty (Cloud-pine)
I wanted my artwork to honor Saarinen’s architecture and visual legacy. My creative process began with a visit to the city hall, where I drew inspiration from its details. Later that summer, I visited Hvitträsk, Saarinen’s former atelier-home, on his 150th birthday. While the museum buzzed with activity, I focused on the surrounding environment, particularly the pine forest.
I imagined the pines as a significant influence on Saarinen’s work and decided to bring a piece of his home’s nature into the Lahti City Hall.
The concept for the artwork centered on the pine trees and their canopies. The name Pilvimänty (Cloud-pine) emerged somewhat spontaneously. My studio is surrounded by pines, and the strong coastal winds often break and scatter their branches. I frequently collect these fallen branches and hang them in my studio, which I also did while working on Pilvimänty.
While creating the piece, I recalled my favorite childhood book series, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. In the story, Cloud-pines are magical trees whose branches are used by witches for flying. Even as an adult, I sometimes whimsically imagine that the pine branches I find on the ground might have been dropped by these mythical witches of the north.
While creating the piece, I recalled my favorite childhood book series, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. In the story, Cloud-pines are magical trees whose branches are used by witches for flying. Even as an adult, I sometimes whimsically imagine that the pine branches I find on the ground might have been dropped by these mythical witches of the north.