Ossi Somma´s Sculpture Park

In 1967, Ossi began working on the sculpture ”Fur Traders,” commissioned by the Nokia municipality, in Siuro village, Nokia. The work was done at the Penttilä school, where regular classes had ended. Ossi had two classrooms at his disposal and commuted from Espoo three days a week to fulfil the commission. The sculpture was completed in 1969. Then, Ossi stored several of his other works at Penttilä.

Unfortunately, a fire (caused by a short circuit or dust explosion) destroyed the entire building, including the workspace and all the artworks. Only one building, housing the school kitchen, classroom, and teacher’s residence, survived the fire. However, the miniature model of ”Fur Traders” stayed intact in the fire. The preserved space of the school was available for Ossi to create a new version of the sculpture, which was completed in 1971 and erected at Pirkkalaistori in Nokia.

Ossi purchased the surviving school building and, together with his wife Sinikka, renovated it into a home and studio. They moved from Espoo to Siuro in 1975.

Ossi was selected as a sculpture teacher at Kankaanpää art school, commuting three days a week from Siuro to teach. This allowed him ample time for his own artistic work.

Gradually, the number of artworks increased, and Ossi began placing them in the former schoolyard next to his studio. He also planned larger compositions there, such as ”Tuolimetsä” (Chair Forest) and ”Tuonelan virta” (River of the Underworld). Over the years, the yard transformed into a sculpture park featuring dozens of sculptures.