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Artists' Association of Finland

Pauno Pohjolainen

Pauno Pohjolainen
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Taide rakentamisessa -taiteilijapankki

Basic information

b. 1949, Kuopio
Visual Artist
Residence: Kuopio

Contact information

Phone number: 044 36 12 949
Email: pauno.pohjolainen@gmail.com
Show biography
Pauno Pohjolainen's life's work opens in the new ART CAVE!

The exhibition of Pauno Pohjolainen’s life’s work opens in a wartime cave in Eastern Finland Kuopio. The cave provides an experiential backdrop for works spanning five decades of the artist’s career.


Pohjolainen is particularly renowned for his painted wooden sculptures and striking public artworks. Among his accolades are the Ars Fennica Award (1997) and the Pro Finlandia Medal (2005). Among Finnish contemporary artists, Pohjolainen is the only one to hold honorary memberships in both the Association of Finnish Sculptors (2026) and the Finnish Painters' Union (2024).

The exhibition is open on the last Sunday of every month from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, starting Sunday, September 27, 2026. Private guided tours are also available for groups of 10–30 people; please contact pauno.pohjolainen@gmail.com. The Art Cave is located at Kajastuspolku 3, 100 meters from the ISLVI cave (Loistekatu 12), with signage guiding the way. Parking is available directly in front of the Art Cave.


The Pohjolainen artist couple will be present in person to share the stories and background behind the works. A small museum shop offers a versatile selection of items suitable for gifts. A warm welcome to all!


INFO: www.paunopohjolainen.com  |  Instagram @pauno.pohjolainen  |  Kuopion Seinä  |  Hello Kuopio  |  Menoinfo

Works from the artist

Name of the work: Huuto | The Scream
Huuto | The Scream
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Vuorineuvos Mikko Helander | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Mikko Helander
Muotokuva: Vuorineuvos Mikko Helander | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Mikko Helander
Name of the work: Hiromi | Hiromi
Hiromi | Hiromi
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Tarja Hallman | Portrait: Tarja Hallman
Muotokuva: Tarja Hallman | Portrait: Tarja Hallman
Name of the work: Elegia | Elegia
Elegia | Elegia
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Kaupunginjohtaja Jarmo Pirhonen | Portrait: Mayor Jarmo Pirhonen
Muotokuva: Kaupunginjohtaja Jarmo Pirhonen | Portrait: Mayor Jarmo Pirhonen
Name of the work: Lapin kesä | Summer of Lapland
Lapin kesä | Summer of Lapland
Name of the work: Vuorilampi | The Vuorilampi Lake
Vuorilampi | The Vuorilampi Lake
Name of the work: Hetki lyö | The Last Hour
Hetki lyö | The Last Hour
Name of the work: Risti Tyko Sallisen mukaan | Cross after Tyko Sallinen
Risti Tyko Sallisen mukaan | Cross after Tyko Sallinen
Name of the work: Uralin pihlaja | The Rowan of Ural
Uralin pihlaja | The Rowan of Ural
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Neurokirurgien professori Juha Hernesniemi | Portrait: Juha Hernesniemi, Professor in Neurosurgery
Muotokuva: Neurokirurgien professori Juha Hernesniemi | Portrait: Juha Hernesniemi, Professor in Neurosurgery
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Vuorineuvos Hannu Isotalo | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Hannu Isotalo
Muotokuva: Vuorineuvos Hannu Isotalo | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Hannu Isotalo
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Kauppaneuvos Jaakko Ojanperä | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Jaakko Ojanperä
Muotokuva: Kauppaneuvos Jaakko Ojanperä | Portrait: Commercial Counsellor Jaakko Ojanperä
Name of the work: Muotokuva: Sairaalaneuvos Matti Pulkkinen | Portrait: Hospital Counsellor Matti Pulkkinen
Muotokuva: Sairaalaneuvos Matti Pulkkinen | Portrait: Hospital Counsellor Matti Pulkkinen

Bio

Pauno Pohjolainen



Born 1949, Kuopio, Finland


Spouse: Annika Pohjolainen, SAFA Architect


Children: Pia (1970–2020), Panu (1976), Oona (1993), Ella (1994), Inga (1995), Iida (1997), Eliel (1999)


Art Education





  • School of the Fine Arts Academy of Finland, 1976–1980




Art Forms





  • Sculptures | Reliefs | Paintings | Portraits




Materials





  • Wood | Pigment / Paint | Metal | Resin




Major Exhibitions (Selected)





  • 2020–present: Taideluola, Kuopio




  • 2024: Kajaani Art Museum




  • 2023: Lieksa 50th Anniversary Exhibition




  • 2019–2020: RIISA – Orthodox Church Museum of Finland, Kuopio




  • 2017: Gallery Sculptor, Helsinki




  • 2016: Joensuu Art Museum




  • 2015: Didrichsen Art Museum, Helsinki




  • 2010: Turku Art Museum (Retrospective)




  • 2010: Kuopio Art Museum (Retrospective)




  • 2004: The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg




  • 2002: Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki




  • 1998: Ars Fennica Exhibition, Hämeenlinna Art Museum




Public Works (Selected)





  • 2022: Harvest (Sadonkorjuu), Kuopio OP Bank




  • 2020: The Painter and the Rooster (Maalari ja kukko), von Wright School, Kuopio




  • 2016: Tree of Life (Elämänpuu), Kallavesi Church, Kuopio




  • 2014: Mound (Keko), Kuopio Tax Office




  • 2014: Triptych, Valio Milk Powder Factory, Lapinlahti




  • 2010: Brainstorm / Idea (Aivoitus), Kuopio University Hospital (KYS)




  • 2005: Stream of Life (Elämänvirta), Hesperia Hospital, Helsinki




  • 2003: Sauna and Sisu (Sauna ja sisu), Embassy of Finland, Canberra




  • 2003: Altar Triptych, Laajasalo Church, Helsinki




  • 2001: Pennies from Heaven (Pennejä taivaasta), Kuopio OP Bank




  • 2001: Kallavesj, KPY Novapolis, Kuopio




Works in Collections (Selected)





  • Design Museum | Finnish Rya Rug Collection




  • EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art




  • Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)




  • Finnish National Gallery




  • Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art




  • Niemistö Collection | Hämeenlinna Art Museum




  • Saastamoinen Foundation | EMMA Museum




  • Finnish Cultural Foundation




Awards and Honors (Selected)





  • 2026: Honorary Membership, Association of Finnish Sculptors




  • 2024: Honorary Membership, Finnish Painters' Union




  • 2021: 3rd Place, President Mauno Koivisto Memorial Competition




  • 2015: Cultural Award of the Lutheran Foundation




  • 2005: Pro Finlandia Medal




  • 1997: Ars Fennica Award




  • 1983: Dukat Award, Finnish Art Society





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