Jori Tapio Kalliola
Rauma (1968)
Human pictures of wood and other materials
Jori Tapio Kalliola is an ITE artist who raises current questions and grievances through his art. Kalliola’s works combine social, political, religious and outlook on life perspectives. Kalliola creates human images from wood and other materials. The wooden people are struggling against the injustice of the world and seeks relief their life.
Kalliola is also a self-taught musician, singer and lyricist. He has appeared as the frontman of various bands and still works as a soloist of the band Jori Otsa & Mah’Orkka
Jori Tapio Kalliola − ITE artist of the year 2021
Kalliola’s artistic talent and originality have attracted interest both at home and abroad. He has organized numerous exhibitions both in Finland and abroad since 1999, and his ITE art can also be found in the collections of the Maaseudun Sivistysliitto.
Jori Tapio Kalliola is the 2021 ITE artist chosen by Maaseudun Sivistysliitto. The city of Hanko remembered the artist in the same year (2021) with a cultural award.
The wooden people
Kalliola creates his figures from used logs and other recycled materials. He paints the works using outdated or otherwise unsaleable paints.
In Jori’s handling, the pieces of logs turn into a work of art that conveys the artist’s vision of the tragicomic nature of life. Kalliola enjoys the carnivalization of life. In his works Wooden people’s faces are white like clowns.
Kalliola draws his artistic inspiration from experiences of being outsiders, social inequality and tragic moments in life. His works reflect strong emotions that range from love to hate.
The artist says that he felt deep frustration in his childhood in situations that seemed unfair to him. With his art, he is able to express his views and take a stand on things that are important to him.
The struggle of the wooden people against the world’s injustice cannot help nothing else but raise a smile. That’s exactly what it’s all about – the tragicomics of life.
The works of the exhibition
Think Twice
USA – The United States of America offers a dove of peace from the front, but what is behind that?
In 2016, there was already some kind of small NATO discussion, because military exercises were being held in front of Hanko at the time together with American troops. I found it disgusting and decided to make a work that would remind us to use our discretion and think twice if the situation ever got to the point where Finland decided to join NATO.
Well, this is what happened seven years later.
The application process itself was nothing to be proud of, with all the fuss, not to mention these recent events and twists.
So, Finland was forced to involuntarily and with some embarrassment finally peek behind America’s back, and of course it didn’t lift the spirits, the imaginations were left at the feet of cold reality, and even the lazy ones were already in their pants.
So listen to the artists and interpret their art with discernment, because then you may be saved from a few unnecessary stumbles in life.
Material of the work: Log, paint and recycled material
The monster of the security society
The monster of the security society has created a golden cage for himself. The cage is built of weapons, security cameras, rules, restrictions, a nuclear umbrella and the most important thing – FEAR!
The unhappy person seeks a happy life from endless security, and does not notice that he has become an insecure monster of an unhappy life.
Material of the work: Log, paint and recycled material
Kädetön pianisti
According to the artist, the work had two starting points. The inspiration for the creation of the piece came from the government’s corona measures towards culture. “Government practically amputates culture, that`s why, a pianist with no hands”.
There is a sign on the back of the work. “Mephisto, why did you abandon me”. The text refers to a mythical story where an artist rejects god and makes a deal with the devil to become successful. However, the agreement does not hold and when the hands are taken away, he does not shout Jesus’ last words “My God, why did you forsake me?!” He shouts “Mephistopheles, why did you abandon me?!”
The pianist is playing in an appropriate place. What better place to call than a ruin bar where every customer has a story to tell.
Material of the work: Log, paint and recycled material
