Wax Museum – Ossi Somma

In the former outbuilding of Penttilä school, acquired by the city of Nokia, sculptures accumulated and formed what is called the Wax Museum. A brass plaque on the building reads: ”Ossi Somma’s Wax Museum.”

The Wax Museum showcases numerous works, including ”Homo sapiens,” ”Wipe Your Feet,” and ”Job Center.” Additionally, there are miniature models of several competition entries.

The idea of using wax as a sculpting material originated in 1964 when Ossi worked at the Herttoniemi foundry belonging to the Sculptors’ Association. Wax is used in a specific stage of bronze casting. In the 1960´s, Ossi met a former colleague who worked as a warehouse manager at Nokia Corporation. There was a surplus of paraffin, previously used in paper manufacturing, in the stock. Ossi obtained it at a favourable price. This wax material proved sufficient for decades of sculpting.