Sahasepät
Eetu Mäki, Turku (1993)
Tapani Lahdensuu, Pori
Sahasepät – Eetu Mäki and Tapani Lahdensuu
Sahasepät, the brothers Eetu Mäki and Tapani Lahdensuu, create handmade and unique chainsaw carvings where traditional carving meets the fresh ideas of a new generation of makers. Their sculptures stand out with a distinctive look of their own. Carefully chosen colours and surface treatments bring depth and personality to each piece.
Distinctive characters and a fresh use of colour in Sahasepät’s carvings
Eetu Mäki and Tapani Lahdensuu represent the younger generation in Finnish chainsaw carving. Although their work is strongly rooted in the long tradition of Finnish chainsaw carving, the brothers bring a visual identity that is distinctly their own. Their sculptures are built around stories, characters and atmospheres that emerge through this unique approach.
In Sahasepät’s work, colour and surface treatment play a particularly important role. Whereas traditional chainsaw carvings typically focus on the natural tone of the wood, Eetu and Tapani use colour boldly to add a new dimension to their pieces. The colouring supports the character of each sculpture: deepening shadows, emphasising movement and bringing out the expression or story of the figure.
This careful yet fresh use of colour makes their carvings instantly recognisable and gives them a distinctive appearance. In the hands of the brothers, wood becomes works of art where natural material, the roughness of handcraft and a step towards something new come together. Their sculptures can be sympathetic, humorous, abstract or richly narrative – but always created with a sense of joyful experimentation and the courage to try new things. This curiosity and willingness to explore is what produces carvings that catch the eye, hold attention and give wooden figures depth and expression in a way rarely seen in traditional chainsaw carving. Eetu and Tapani are not only making carvings; they are continuously developing their own style and the art form itself.
The paintings show a gently ironic everyday life
Although many of Sahasepät’s best-known pieces draw from imaginative and characterful ideas, the brothers also create a significant number of traditional chainsaw carvings – often directly based on customers’ wishes. Many clients request bears, eagles, forest themes or other classic Finnish carving subjects, and these are crafted with the same skilled approach as their more modern, unique works.
Do you have a character, story or idea you’d like to see turned into your own chainsaw carving? Sahasepät can refine your idea into a coherent piece that reflects both the natural qualities of wood and their visual style.
Contact Sahasepät and let your idea grow into a finished carving.
