Sanginkontu art trail in the riverside forests – a cultural route
Rivers flow in time and space. They connect villages to the world and big cities to the countryside. People and stories come and go, moving from one place to another.
A network of artworks, Sanginkontu art trail, is forming on the banks of the Oulujoki and Sanginjoki rivers and in the nearby forests. You will soon be able to find works by environmental artists in this enchanting environment that reverberates the area’s cultural heritage, its memories and stories intertwined with the artists’ interpretations. Each work of art is designed with respect for the area’s spirit, nature, history and people. Villagers were also involved in the implementation of the works.
The works are part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme. They are designed to have a ten-year life cycle, so they will remain in place to delight visitors to the area even after the European Capital of Culture events. The dedicated members of the Sanginsuu-Lapinkangas-Sanginjoki Village Association will maintain the works.
Sanginjoki
Satu Suvanto‘s work Huoma (Note) was opened in the old forest ranger’s barn at Loppula Nature House in November 2024. Satu Pietilä filmed a documentary video at the Seating Stone, which you are invited to watch seated on the log stools carved by Aimo Laitinen. A work by Kari Viinikangas, Satu Pietilä, Karita Heikkinen and Riitta Johanna Laitinen documenting the history of the village will be available to view at the Youth Club house.
Sanginsuu
The bank of the River Oulujoki
The artist couple Kati Leinonen and Tuomas Mujunen will install their work The Flow of time at the boat launch site on River Oulujoki in summer 2025. Artist Eero Markuksela will build an installation on the forested slope at the Sanginsuu parish centre in summer 2025.
The forest along the Kiekonlenkki hiking trail
In summer 2025, sculptures, installations and a sound work will be placed in the Sanginsuu forests, which are popular among outdoor enthusiasts. The artists are Pia Hentunen, Felicia Honkasalo, Jussi Ruusulampi, Macu Makkonen & Jesse Kitinoja, and François Blosseville, assisted by Johanna Häiväoja. In the forest alongside the trail, visitors can also see the River Dragon sculpture by wood sculptor Aimo Laitinen and pupils at Sanginsuu School, who helped with the creation of the artwork during a workshop led by artist Pia Hentunen.
Lapinkangas
The monumental Picture Stone will be created by artist Kai Ruohonen together with local people at the Pilpajärvi lean-to shelter along the tar route in Lapinkangas.
Introduction to the artworks of Sanginkontu
Huoma
The hay barn was an outbuilding in the forest ranger’s farmyard and had an important function back in the day: to protect food for people and animals. Now fairy-tale snowflowers and root-like shapes rain down from the ceiling, offering a glimpse into the thoughts of villagers and friends of the Sanginjoki forest on the surrounding nature and the traditions of the forest rangers.
‘Huoma‘ refers to protection, safety and noticing, all themes that came up in the artist’s conversations with participants to the workshops held during the creation process. The texts were collected from villagers and friends of the Sanginjoki forest through art workshops held in 2024.
Huoma, an environmental work, Satu Suvanto, old barn, wood, concrete, ceramics (2024). The work is part of the Sanginkontu art trail.
Seating stone
The Seating stone, a boulder shaped by the Ice Age, has been an important resting and meeting place in Sanginjoki for generations. Children liked to take a break here on their way to and from school, and those on the way to bring cows home from the nearby meadows could stop to rest on it. Declarations of love have also been made on the Seating stone over the decades. Satu Pietilä collected memories of the Seating stone on video, and Aimo Laitinen carved the log stools for people to sit and listen to the stories.
Seating stone, Satu Pietilä, documentary video, duration 7 minutes. Log stools, Aimo Laitinen, 2024
River dragon
This ‘ancient relic’ was found in the forest and named River dragon by the pupils at Sanginsuu School. The children brought the dragon to life through colours and stories in a workshop led by community artist Pia Hentunen. They worked on the wooden sculpture, which was carved with a chainsaw by Aimo Laitinen, who lives in the village.
River dragon, Sanginsuu School pupils, artist Pia Hentunen, 2023. Wooden sculpture, Aimo Laitinen, 2022.
Art works coming in 2025
François Blosseville (assistant Johanna Häiväoja)
Pia Hentunen
Felicia Honkasalo
Kati Leinonen & Tuomas Mujunen
Macu Makkonen & Jesse Kitinoja
Eero Markuksela
Kai Ruohonen
Jussi Ruusulampi
Kari Viinikangas and documentary group Satu Pietilä, Karita Heikkinen, Riitta Johanna Laitinen
The organisers of the Sanginkontu art trail
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