Kalle Mustonen’s giant 'Siirtolohkareet' installed at Ahvenisjärvi School

According to the City of Tampere, two large wooden sculptures by Kalle Mustonen now mark the entrance and lobby of the new Ahvenisjärvi School.

Titled Siirtolohkareet, the works are based on a big boulder that once stood in the yard of the old school. Mustonen modeled that stone and produced two carved timber pieces — one sited in the school lobby, the other outside the main entrance. The outdoor sculpture is believed to be Finland's largest public wooden sculpture and will be added to the Tampere Art Museum's collection.

Mustonen said being involved early in the project eased the monumental task: he could study the site, meet future users and even have walls shifted so the work fits the architecture. He said the extensive background work with different parties is visible in the final piece.

Mustonen (born 1979 in Lahti) is known for monumentally scaled wooden constructions, pop-culture references and a hands-on craft approach. His work sits between sculpture, installation and site-specific art and often uses recycled and natural materials.

Construction of Ahvenisjärvi School began in 2024, and the new building for about 1,100 pupils is scheduled to open in August 2026. It will include a gym, multipurpose hall and spaces intended for evening and weekend use; a daycare is planned for the area later.

Tampere applies a percent-for-art policy in public building projects, with the Tampere Art Museum acting as the art expert for such commissions.