Teuvo Jalonen
Pori (1961)
Concrete and ceramic sculptures
Teuvo Jalonen’s path to becoming a self‑taught artist began in the early 2010s at his kitchen table, where a ball of blu‑tack gradually took shape into a skilfully crafted animal figure. At the heart of Jalonen’s art are life‑sized animal sculptures made of concrete. However, his work is not limited to large concrete sculptures; alongside them runs a more subtle and intimate body of ceramic work.
Animals immortalized in concrete and ceramics
Teuvo Jalonen’s art springs from his own life and his deep relationship with nature. The childhood forest, observing animals, and working with his hands form the foundation of his expression. Jalonen works by teaching himself and experimenting. He builds his pieces slowly and patiently, using concrete and ceramics as his materials. The scale of the works ranges from small hand‑shaped ceramic pieces to life‑sized concrete sculptures that settle naturally into their surroundings.
Jalonen’s respect for the true essence of animals is visible in his sculptures. Nothing is exaggerated, yet nothing is left to chance. The large concrete sculptures in particular reveal Jalonen’s method of working. Their structures emerge gradually, layer by layer, and every stage requires time and concentration. From concrete, steel mesh, and hand tools, he forms animals that seem ready to move, even as they stand still.
Jalonen’s practice is not limited only to large concrete sculptures; alongside them runs a more delicate and intimate body of ceramic work. In ceramics, the scale becomes smaller, but precision and the capturing of the animal’s character remain.
Half Acre Forest
In 2019, Teuvo and his spouse Marjaana purchased from the estate a half‑hectare forest plot that had belonged to Teuvo’s parents, giving it the name “Half‑Hectare Forest.” The forest plot is more than just a place for installing sculptures—it is part of a lived life where childhood, nature, and the present intertwine.
In the Half‑Hectare Forest, Jalonen has created a woodland park where art and nature exist in harmony. There, bears and lions share the same landscape effortlessly, without conflict, as part of one and the same story. At the same time, the forest is a shared space. Jalonen has wished to keep it open to everyone who wants to walk, look, and spend a moment surrounded by nature and art. The Half‑Hectare Forest can be found at Raskintie 170, Eurajoki.