Markku Sarastamo
Hämeenlinna (1948)
Art and stories
Markku Sarastamo is a true multidisciplinary artist who has gained attention not only as an ITE artist, but also as a fairy tale writer, storyteller, yogi, judoka, magician, inventor and Esperantist. He is the living personification of Self-Made Life, whose curiosity, desire to experiment and imagination have guided him since childhood. Markku Sarastamo’s first presentation as an ITE artist was in 2001 at the Helsinki Art Museum’s Meilahti exhibition. Maaseudun Sivistysliitto respects Sarastamo’s long artistic career and has chosen him as the recipient of the ITE artist of the year 2025 award.
Karbujo - A fantastic fairytale world
In recent years, Markku Sarastamo has combined several areas of his art under the concept of Karbujo (coal land). Karbujo is a fantastic and fairy-tale-like world that has grown into a narrative trilogy and an ever-expanding visual entity. This world lives not only in sculptures, but also in incredibly detailed and imaginative digital illustrations.
According to Sarastamo, Karbujo’s story has been brewing in his mind for about 25 years, drawing inspiration from his childhood adventure books and his interest in mechanics and electronics. The word Karbujo comes from Esperanto, where “Karbo” means coal and “Ujo” means vessel or earth. This is how Hiilimaa is born, a volcanic region whose volcanic escape cavities and channels form the basis of a new type of human life.
Sarastamo’s art emphasizes ingenuity and richness of details. The diversity of his creations and his storytelling offer viewers the opportunity to dive into other realities. Sarastamo’s works embody how creativity and imagination can enrich our lives in many ways.
Sarastamo’s life philosophy is summed up in his motto: “Every day exceeds expectations.” It’s based on the fact that when you wake up in the morning, you don’t expect anything!” This attitude reflects his way of living and creating, always ready to take on new challenges and opportunities without preconceptions.
Markku Sarastamo’s Satumaa Karbujo’s digital illustrations are on display at the Middle of Nowhere art park’s indoor exhibition.
