location of some of the art trails
In the year 2026 Oulu, a municipality with about 210,000 inhabitants,located in the north-west of Finland at the mouth of the river of the same name, is featured as one of Europe's cultural capitals.
A few years ago, ideas were expressed regarding how to give shape to this.
The Finnish Association for Rural Culture, approached by residents of Oulu, also became involved, and thus a project was developed focused on decorating walking paths with handmade artistic creations.
This post reviews the twelve creations along the trails.
1. Pet cemetery
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| this image and the next eleven published here in agreement with MSL, the Finnish Association for Rural Culture |
Felicia Honkasalo's contribution is an audio work related to the animal cemetery in a forest.
Sitting on a bench by the animal cemetery, one can listen to an exposition via headphones, such as the question of why some animals have a name and a place in the forest, while others are completely forgotten.
2. River Dragon
it was a sculpture originally made by an artist who works with a chainsaw.
The find was repainted by the children in 2023 and named River Dragon, was given a spot atop a piece of rock in the nearby forest.
3. Longing
Above creation by Pia Hentunen's concerns the longing for deceased pets, which can play an important role in people's lives.
This longing is depicted in the creation made in 2025 primarily from stainless steel.
4. The large cone
The creation Jesse Kitinoja made in collaboration with his uncle Macu Makkonen is a large cylindrical structure composed of approximately 1,200 large, hand-carved wooden scales from a maple tree.
It is an artwork that, when displayed outdoors, will develop a beautiful silver-gray patina over time.
5. Spirit of the forest
François Blosseville's creation, named Spirit of the Forest, combines the artist's work with the forest environment and developments in nature.
The trees have risen in the forest and, by falling, have become sculptures that will eventually decay in the place where they were born.
The idea for above creation by Jussi Ruusulampi came from the history of Oulu, from times when tar boats were transported by the Oulu River to the seaside.
The creation The Flow of Time by Tuomas Mujunen and Kati Leinonen, currently still in preparation, will be placed along the Oulu River at the boat landing in Sanginsuu.
The image above shows a barn that in earlier years housed the forest ranger and has now been renovated by volunteers thanks to the efforts of artist Satu Suvanto.
6. The rapids pilot
It was a difficult and dangerous ride via rapids. He made a huge sculpture depicting a local riverman piloting his tar boat through the rapids
7.The fkow of time
The creation The Flow of Time by Tuomas Mujunen and Kati Leinonen, currently still in preparation, will be placed along the Oulu River at the boat landing in Sanginsuu.
8. Pavillion of the crane's flight
Visitors can sit quietly inside and enjoy the landscape and the river.
9. The picture stone
Kai Ruohonen made the creation named Picture Stone in collaboration with local residents, who provided suggestions from which the artist crafted the tribal sign of the Lapinkangas.
This sign expresses what the tar rowers experienced while sailing on the Oulu River.
10, The seating stone
The wooden stools, created created by Aimo Laitinen, offer visitors a seat to watch a video made by Satu Pietilä, which tells the story connected to the Seating Stone.
That is a large boulder that ended up at its current location during the Ice Age.
11. Old Barn
The image above shows a barn that in earlier years housed the forest ranger and has now been renovated by volunteers thanks to the efforts of artist Satu Suvanto.
She began using the barn as a workspace and also organized art workshops in the barn for local residents.
The barn became adorned with 84 flower petals descending from the ceiling, as well as artworks showcasing details of the surrounding nature.
12. Long live Sanginjoki
In a picturesque spot stands a bench topped with an information board depicting the rich history and daily life of the nearby village of Sanginjoki, compiled by Satu Pietilä, Karita Heikkinen and Riitta Johanna Laitinen, and based on memories of villagers.
The bench was crafted by Kari Viinikangas, an artist who works with a chainsaw
The size of the trails varies.
The longest art trail comprises six creations (numbers 1 through 6), followed by a trail of three (numbers 10 through 12), a trail of two (numbers 7 and 8), and there is a standalone creation (number 9).
Documentation
* In addition to the sources referred to in the articles above, see also this website of the Association for Rural Culture
* More information about the art trails can also be found on the internet via this search query.
Sanginkontu Art Trails near Oulu, region North Ostrobothnia, Finland
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