Eero Räisänen’s Eeteni

Eero Räisänen‘s (b. 1934) outdoor sculpture park Eeteni (= Eden) in Pudasjärvi features early scrap art and wooden sculptures from more than 30 years ago. The sculptures can be found both on dry land and in the Iijoki Corpse Curve in Pirinranta. There is a workshop in the yard where the artist works with wood and paints works.

In addition to wood, the materials of the sculptures include styrofoam, concrete and sheet metal. The whole family is involved and supports the making of art. In the spring, the old and new statues are brought to the yard, so the look of the exhibition changes every year. The sculpture park is complemented by the poems placed there. They are Eero Räisänen’s second art form, which he has been practicing since his youth.

From the very beginning, nature has been the source of Räisänen’s creativity, such as the eye-catching stumpy tree branches in the forest, which depict the path of suffering. Anti-war sentiment and compassion for human suffering are still the themes of the works, such as the metallic roses growing from the shells of a cannon. The works take a stand for nature, because Räisänen has seen the consequences of damming the Iijoki River and the disappearance of whitefish and salmon. The participants of the Living Iijoki rowing have stopped at the shore of Eeteni for a break and to listen to Eero’s poetic musings.

Text and photos M.Sc. Juha Eskola, Oulu