The art in the H-building consists of 9 commissioned works, which vary from ceramics to wall paintings, photographic prints, and deposited works from the collection of collector Pekka Lind. Art projects have been prepared during the years 2021–2022. In the main entrance hall, there is a large sculpture made of ceramics, glass and steel by Teija and Pekka Isorättyä, which is titled Exuvia - a work that depicts the hatching of a red-eyed damselfly from the nymph stage into a damselfly.
From the 2021 open call for photography, a total of 33 photographs were selected – at least one from each municipality in the municipal association. Some of the photographs have been placed on the walls of the hospital as photo wallpapers and some as large photo boards.
Vaasa Central Hospital’s H-building art committee, which is responsible for the selection of the artists and the art, includes the chair of the art committee Monica Siren-Aura, the technical director of the Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia Ulf Stenbacka, administrative director Juha Post (until the end of 2021), design engineer Sanna Ahola, and architect Elina Salakari of Kontukoski Architects Ltd.
Art expertise is represented by Aki Koskinen, a representative of the Vaasa Artists’ Guild appointed to the art working group, and Heini Orell from Frei Zimmer Oy, who acts as the art coordinator of the project.
Located on Floors 1–3, visual artist Janna Syvänoja’s body of work consists of “Laguuni” (Lagoons) (pictured), “Maa kohoaa” (The ground rises) and “Kaislikossa” (In the reeds).On the 2nd floor, you can find Geir Byrkjeland’s animated work “Landet andas” (The ground breathes), which presents land uplift in a meditative way. This geological phenomenon is typical of the region and the unique archipelago of Vaasa. The work also has sound, so even the visually impaired can find enjoyment in it.On the 3rd floor, you can find Elina Försti’s painting “Vistiahon lato Kiiskiseltä” (Vistiaho barn from Kiiskinen), which was painted with the hope of bringing joy and zest for life to the experiencer. The painting is also interesting due to its painting technique. Vistiaho barn from Kiiskinen is an oil painting on linen. The linen is primed with rabbit skin glue and a semi-oil primer according to an ancient recipe.On floors 4–6, you can find Laura Pehkonen’s series of works titled Merelle (At sea), which is made of unique, hand-made ceramic pieces. The series of works also takes into account the visually impaired since it is possible to experience the ceramics by touching them.On floors 4–8, between the doors of the patient rooms, you can find Sandra Kantanen’s Herbarium series of works, which consists of large-sized photographs of 13 different flowers. From the door prints, you can examine the microscopic details of the flowers.On floors 7–8, you can find Terhi Ekebom’s series of works titled “Turkoosi virtaus” (Turquoise flow), which leads the way. The artwork includes several safe ward walls where patients can leave messages of encouragement to each other.On floors 7–8 of Psychiatry, you can find Kim Jotuni’s two-story-high wall relief “Puu” (Tree) located in the outdoor space. The sculpture contains hand-carved painted birds among the foliage.The works deposited from Pekka Lind’s art collection, of which there are about 70, bring temporal layering to the hospital’s art collection. Almost all the works are made by Ostrobothnian artists, and many of the themes can be found on the coast or in the landscapes of the region. Deposited works can be found in the restaurant, corridors, dayrooms and staff break rooms.
Delve further into the secrets of the art of the H-building! More information about the artworks can be found in several languages: Story Bank
