SAMULI ALONEN Portfolio
Introduction of the artist
Samuli Alonen (born 1977) grew up in a family where making art was always present and children were encouraged to act on their talent. Samuli who was interested in handicrafts later graduated from Kuopio academy of design in 2000. While studying design, Samuli got interested in working with bronze and right after graduating he desided to start his own business at the Pykälistö watch house area.
In the beginning of his time in Pykälistö, Samuli consentrated on forged pieces and everyday objects. He became more and more interested in bronze and moved from blacksmithing to making bronze work. One of his signature work being the sympathetic "Citybirds" that have flown all over the world. The birds evolve, live and learn with their creator.
Samuli also creates large sized public works from which some can be seen at the Pykälistö area.
Education and experience:
Opening of his studio, 2001
Working in the Art Foundry of Lapinlahti, 1999 Apprentice of Pauno Pohjalainen, renowned Finnish artist, 1998-2000
Design Academy of Kuopio, 1997-2000
Handicrafts and Arts Educational Institution of Central Finland, 1994-1996
Excursions:
Paris – France, Amsterdam – The Netherlands, Barcelona – Spain, Reykjavik – Iceland, Dresden – Germany and St. Petersburg – Russia
Public sculptures: City of Jyväskylä
HB Betoniteollisuus Ltd., Jyväskylä Konnevesi, Siikakoski
The Municipality of Jyväskylä The Parish of Laukaa
”C-type”- award, Jyväskylä Junior Chamber of Commerce ALVARI- award, Jyväskylä Junior Chamber of Commerce
Jyväskylän Energia Ltd. The Parish of Luhanka
”Neste Oil Rally”- World Rally Championship award Viitasaari
Positions of trust and memberships: Jyväskylä Society of Artists
Ornamo, national central organization of designers Jyväskylän ammattiopisto, Representative for culture Jyväskylän käsityöläisten säätiö
Keski-Suomen käsi-ja taideteollisuusyhdistys
Clients
ALVARI-Award - City of Jyväskylä and the Junior Chamber of Commerce The Central Finland Health Care District/ The Central Finland Central Hospital The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions – SAK
The city of Jyväskylä The city of Jämsänkoski The Craft Museum of Finland
Finnish Air force, Department of Communication The Finnish Association of Entertainment Singers The Finnish Stone Center
HB-Betoniteollisuus Ltd.
Hotel Ambassador, St. Petersburg Hotel Chalet Ruka Peak, Kuusamo House for Europe, Hengelo, Holland Keskisuomalainen- newspaper Metalworkers’ Union
The municipality of Kinnula The municipality of Petäjävesi The municipality of Pihtipudas OP Bank Group / Central Finland Outokumpu Oyj
Palokka Comprehensive School Palokka, Pelimannitalo
The rural community of Jyväskylä Senate Properties
Shanghai, China
SKANSKA constructions Vapo Group Ltd.
In private collections of companies and private collectors all over Europe
Grants and Awards:
Finnish Deafblind association & Association of Finnish sculptors: The most touching piece of Art 2011, Winner of public vote.
City of Jyväskylä, Cultural Affairs, targeted grant 2011 City of Jyväskylä, Cultural Affairs, targeted grant 2010 Arts Council of Central Finland, targeted grant, 2010
City of Jyväskylä, Cultural Affairs, targeted grant 2009 The Arts Council of Finland, targeted grant, 2008 Arts Council of Central Finland, targeted grant, 2008 City of Jyväskylä, targeted grant, 2007
The Arts Council of Finland, targeted grant, 2006 City of Jyväskylä, Cultural Affairs, targeted grant 2005
Entrepreneur of the Year in Tourism in Jyväskylä Region, 2005
The Finnish Cultural Foundation / Foundation of Central Finland, 2005 Handicrafts’ Foundation of Jyväskylä, 2004
The Arts Council of Central Finland, 2003 Arts Council of Finland, 2002
The Finnish Cultural Foundation / Foundation of Central Finland, 2002 Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Central Finland, 2002
Award from the competition: ”Pohjola- startti”, 2001 Handicrafts’ Foundation of Jyväskylä, 2000
Handicrafts’ Foundation of Jyväskylä, 1999 The Arts Council of Central Finland, 1999
1st place in Design contest of fireplaces, organized by University of Art and Design and Tunnelmauuni
(co), 1998
Exhibitions:
Art Kaarisilta, Helsinki 2011 Kautta rantain, Jämsä 2011
ArtHelsinki 2011/ Galleria Contempo, Helsinki 2011 Viitasaari 2011
Galleria Contempo, Helsinki 2011 Ornamo, Helsinki 2011
Antique & Art Fair, Helsinki 2010-2011 Tampere-talo, Tampere 2010
Pori 2010
Museum of Central Finland, Jyväskylä 2010 Art Forum, Jyväskylä 2010
Forma fair Helsinki Design nyT, Helsinki 2009 Hartola 2009
Ornamo, Helsinki 2009 Suolahti 2009
Galleria Contempo, Helsinki 2009
Ilmarisen Perilliset, Suomen käsityön museo 2009 Jyväskylän Taiteilijaseuran 63. vuosinäyttely 2008 Valo on Jyväskylässä 2008
Keski-Suomi muotoilee ` 08, The Craft Museum of Finland 2008 Ornamo Sales Exhibition, Helsinki, 2008
Ornamo Sales Exhibition , Helsinki, 2007 Gallery Heinzel, Aberdeen, Scotland 2007
The 62nd Anniversary Exhibition of Jyväskylä Art Society, 2007
House for Europe, Hengelo, Holland 2006 (in cooperation with Benelux-institute) Pykälistö Summer Exhibition, Jyväskylä, 2006
The National Metal Art Weeks, Ulvila, 2006 The Finnish Stone Center, Juuka, 2006
The Craft Museum of Finland, Siirtymä- 100 years of Handicrafts and Art in Central Finland, 2005 The World of Forms – Summer Exhibition in Pykälistö, 2005
Habitare-Fair, Helsinki, 2005
The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, 2005 Finnfest, Hamburg, Germany, 2004
”Artist Incidents” in The Jyväskylä Art Museum, Jyväskylä 2004 Hartola Holiday Home Fair, Hartola, 2004
”On the rails”-Summer Exhibition, Pykälistö, 2004 Benelux-institute, Belgium, 2003
The 90th anniversary exhibition of Handicrafts and Arts Association of Central Finland, 2003 The Summer Exhibition of Pykälistö, 2003
The Kuusamo Hall, Kuusamo, 2003 Laukaa Housing Fair, Laukaa, 2003
Selected Photos of Sculptures:
”City Birds”
”Kotilomarkkinat”
”Golden egg”
”Migration”
Public Sculptures
”First Class”, Jyväskylä
”Spot in the sun”, Jyväskylä /together with Kari Alonen
”Citybirds”, visiting Turku
