Sculptors 2023

Riku Elomaa, Laukaa

Riku started chainsaw carving about three years ago. At the Karhufestivaali, Riku is a newcomer and will participate in both the championship and speed sculpting events.

The theme of the competition, ”Power Bear,” has already inspired him. According to Riku, he doesn’t draw the designs on paper beforehand. The plan takes shape in his mind—and usually quite quickly.

Artist CARW4, Lappeenranta

The motto of this artist is ”You can’t stop me”.

CARW4 participates in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Ulla Haglund, Alaveteli

Ulla’s first encounter with chainsaw sculpting took place in a parking lot in Ähtäri in 2015. During a weekend trip to the zoo, she visited a wood sculpting competition and was instantly captivated.

Haglund has carved many bears, but also other animals and human figures. In her work she enjoys being creative. ”I want to give chainsaw sculpting even more. It’s always amazing to see what hides inside wood and what becomes of it.”

Ulla will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition in The Bear Festival 2023.

Peter Hausgaard Gregersen, Hornsyld, Denmark

Peter made his first sculpture by chainsaw in 2002, and since then he has made many different sculptures all over Denmark.
Peter has taken part in Chainsaw Sculpting Festivals in Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia and in Scotland . He mostly works with wood, but also with other materials as ice, stone, clay and metal.
In Ilomantsi Peter is looking forward to meet other wood sculptors and have a great time carving and learning from other sculptors.
Peter’s motto is from Astrid Lindgrens Pippi: ”I’ve never tried that before, so I’m sure I can do it.”
He likes to try new things and be challenged!

Peter participates in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Raimo Hautaluoma, Kurikka

Sculpting is an essential part of Raimo’s life. When he has time off from his job as a farm helper, he sometimes sculpts with his chainsaw for up to seven or eight hours a day. “While carving is physical, just like working on a farm, it helps me to recover, relax and calm down.” What attracts him to Ilomantsi is the relaxed atmosphere and meeting his fellow-sculptors and friendly locals.

Raimo will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Esko Heikura, Kuhmo

Esko starts his bigger chainsaw sculptures by drawing a sketch and making an image from at least two perspectives – this helps him to visualise the work in its three dimensional form. His works are characterised by carefully executed details. Esko loves nature. ”I’m a keen ornithologist, and I also photograph birds.”

In Ilomantsi, Esko will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Timo Heikura, Joensuu

Timo is an art teacher. He draws comics and illustrations and also creates ice and wood sculptures. So far, Timo’s sculptures have taken the form of human figures, although there is one dragon work among them.

Timo has participated in ice sculpting competitions four times and has always achieved a medal.

At the Ilomantsi Karhufestivaali, Timo is a first-timer at the Ilomantsi Bear Festival and participates in the events with a positive mindset.

”It’s a joy to sculpt a log taller than a man!”

Timo will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August.

Christian Häggman, Pedersöre

Christian found out about chainsaw carving from the internet: ”I first started watching chainsaw sculpting videos online, and in 2017, I started practicing. I have mainly carved bears, but also other animals such as lynxes, hares, otters and eagles.” Working with wood is familiar for Christian, because he studied to be an artisan.

Christian will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Jari Kinnunen, Suomussalmi

Jari likes carving large animals with his chainsaw, animals, like moose. Jari thinks that what makes a good sculptor is having an awareness of what you are going to sculpt. “You need to see the sculpture in your mind in advance.” Jari spends a lot of time finishing his works, and he focuses on getting the right look and character for his sculptures.

He will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August and in the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Kari Kulmala, Rääkkylä

Kari comes into the competition armed with the strengths he learned from his mother. “My mother was a logger and taught me how to use and repair a chainsaw.” Kari sees chainsaw sculpturing and ITE art as a unique type of Finnish folk art, one form of contemporary art. “Handling a chainsaw and an axe is relaxing and keeps me fit.”

Kari will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Jari Kuokkanen, Iisalmi

Jari sculpts traditional forest animals such as birds and bears, and he has also carved human figures such as musicians Lemmy Kilmister and Juice Leskinen. Drawing was one of Jari’s hobbies when he was young, and he learned to use a chainsaw at an early age while working in the forest. His work is characterised by the use of lots of colours and added details made with paint.

In Ilomantsi he will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Marika Kylmä, Joensuu

According to her own words, Marika is a beginner in wood sculpting. Marika has participated in stone sculpting competitions in Juuka twice, and in this year’s competition, she was in a third place.

Marika is originally from Ilomantsi and has visited the Karhufestivaali several times to watch the bear sculpting competitions. This year’s theme, ”Powerful Bear,” inspired Marika to participate now.

Marika will participate in in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 11th–12th August,

Juha Käkelä, Ylöjärvi

Wood sculpting is very important to Juha, and he describes it as being almost like a religion to him. He made his first sculpture 25 years ago. Sculpting itself is enjoyable to him, and he says it’s always surprising to see what ultimately emerges from the wood. Juha considers the material of various wood species to be one of the challenges in sculpting.

Juhala has taught people of various backgrounds how to sculpt. In his opinion, a good sculptor should naturally enjoy the act of carving. He believes that anyone can carve if they have an interest in it. Juha emphasizes that safety is also crucial in carving.

Juha will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Leo Laakko, Orimattila

Leo was ten years old when he cut trees with a chainsaw borrowed without his parents’ knowledge. He became interested in sculpting in 2017 when he bought a pile of logs, and there were a couple of bigger trunks among them. “I wondered what I could make out of them and just started carving.” Leo’s favourite subjects are bears and owls. “The bear is a mystical forest animal and the owl an impressive bird.”

Leo will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Veikko Laakso, Liminka

Veikko says he’s an odd-job man when it comes to art: he works with snow, ice and wood. In the future, Veikko wants to create even more sculptures and open a shop for his art.

Veikko will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Aimo Laitinen, Oulu

Aimo is hooked on learning new things, which keeps him interested in chainsaw sculpting. His ambition in wood sculpting is the same as in his other favourite pastime, dancing, which is the expression of movement. This calm and composed man clearly has a Latin heart as his preferred dance is the rumba. The first time Aimo used a chainsaw for sculpting was on a course in spring 2017, during which he created a bear, an owl and a piglet.

He will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Elina Lehtinen, Liperi

Elina has been actively engaged in chainsaw sculpting since the summer of 2021. She enjoys drawing on both paper and wood. Elina is also interested in folk traditions and singing, and has even crafted a traditional Finnish musical instrument from wood. Although Lehtinen hasn’t had much time to sculpt with a chainsaw, the process of revealing figures from within the wood feels incredibly natural to her. Sculpting is therapeutic for Lehtinen—it’s like a dialogue with the wood grain.

Elina will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August.

Toni Lindroos, Sastamala

Toni has been making chainsaw art for three years now: “Sculpting wood started to interest me and when I held the chainsaw first time, I knew that this is the form of art I want to focus on”. Sculpting animal sculptures is his favourite subject, but he’s handy with other themes too.

He will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Antti Matilainen, Suomussalmi

Wood carving has always interested Antti, and now he has started it as a hobby. Over the past couple of years, Antti has created a wooden bench and bear sculptures, among other things.

Antti has no previous competition experience, and according to his own words, he is still a novice in chainsaw sculpting. Last year, he got acquainted with the Karhufestivaali and the impressive works created there. This inspired him to sign up and participate in the competition this time.

”A few bears carved, several still to be carved,” says Antti.

Antti will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August,

Timo Nevalainen, Pyhäsalmi

When Timo started woodcarving at the age of ten, he made wooden spoons and clubs and was encouraged by his family and neighbors to pursue his hobby. Timo discovered chainsaw sculpting in 1990. For him, sculpting is a way to stay fit, and it also exercises his brain as he plans his next piece. “What I find rewarding about carving is developing my skills and coming up with new ideas.”

Timo will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Pekka Niskanen, Haapajärvi

Pekka’s family is known for sculpting skills as both his grandfather and father made wood carvings. Pekka has been carving since 2015 and has mainly created animals such as bears and dogs. “I think the bear is a popular subject because you don’t want to see one in the woods, but it’s a great decorative object as a wooden sculpture in your garden.”

In Ilomantsi, Pekka will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Taisto Pehkonen, Lieksa

Taisto has created thousands of works over the decades. Even his woodshed is full of sculptures instead of firewood. When Taisto carves with a chainsaw, he has music playing in his ear pods – every time. There is no playlist, as he prefers to listen to the radio. Taisto likes sculpting animals as well as abstract subjects. “I like carving curves.”

Taisto will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Teemu Porri, Äänekoski

Teemu has only been creating sculptures for about two years, but in that time, he has already produced many sculptures —bears, capercaillies, and owls. Teemu, who works in timber construction, tells that he is constantly learning and applying various techniques in his work. He hasn’t competed much yet, so he eagerly awaits the carving competition in Ilomantsi with excitement.

He will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August.

Jari Rantanen, Kangasala

Jari started chainsaw sculpting on a whim a few years ago when he was chopping firewood. “I got really excited about carving a simple bear, and it’s another nice hobby along with painting with acrylics and drawing.” He finds his inspiration from nature, people and culture. In chainsaw carving, Jari is fascinated by the element of surprise.

Jari will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Matti Suni, Pornainen

Matti doesn’t have any previous experience in chainsaw sculpting competitions. He first saw sculpting at a client and got inspired. The result of his first attempt was an owl, and Matti was very satisfied with his work.

It has been about five years since Matti carved his first owl, and since then, he has created bears and eagles.

Matti is participating in the Karhufestivaali’s sculpture competition with anticipation. He believes that it’s a joy to try new things and meet other carvers in person.

In Ilomantsi, Matti will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Timo Teittinen, Juva

Timo always carves his sculptures outdoors, and he won’t be stopped even by the cold winter weather. For Timo, chainsaw sculpting is a way to relax, more than anything else. “Sculpting keeps my head together and my mind sharp. I’ve been making things with my hands all my life. It’s not for me to be sitting in a chair, reading the paper. I always have to be doing something.”

In Ilomantsi, Timo will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.

Kari Viinikangas, Vihanti

Kari’s passion for wood carving started alongside a midsummer bonfire in the year 2000.

”We were celebrating Midsummer by Lake Oulujärvi, and there I saw a chainsaw carver sculpting a bear.” The following year, he carved her own first bear sculpture.

Kari admits to being a person who enjoys doing things with his own hands. He has e.g. restored old buildings.

Kari enjoys creating bears and birds. Nature, in general, is important to him and during winter, he appreciates the beautiful moonlight nights, while in spring, he admires the migration of birds.

At the Ilomantsi Bear Festival, he likes the community spirit and enjoys meeting other carvers.

Kari will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August.

Ari Vähäkangas, Ylivieska

Ari got the sculpting bug about 20 years ago when he was working in a forest clearing. “The forester had left a long stump on the site. As I was drinking a cup of coffee, I was thinking about what I could do with it.” Ari’s favourite figure to sculpt is the bear, and that’s what the first log turned into. “Carving with a chainsaw is an interesting skill because you never know what kind of character will be revealed from inside the wood.”

Ari won the Bear Sculpting Championship in Ilomantsi last year 2022.

Ari will take part in the Bear Sculpting Championship on Thursday and Friday, 10th–11th August, as well as the Speed Sculpting Competition on Saturday, 12th August.