My Oulu: The newest Oulu2026 mural is in Toppila – relationship to local nature inspired Momo Yoshino
Japanese artist Momo Yoshino created the latest Oulu2026 mural, Kami Circulation. She began designing the work after arriving in Oulu in August. Photo: Juuso Haarala
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The series of Oulu2026 murals continued as the Japanese artist Momo Yoshino’s artwork Kami Circulation was revealed in Toppila last week. Yoshino familiarized herself with Oulu and its atmosphere during her trip; she especially fell in love with the local relationship to nature. The origami-inspired mural represents the circle of life.
”Forests, rivers, and the sea are integral here in Toppila and Oulu. Rain feeds the plants, water absorbs into the ground and rivers, people pick berries and mushrooms, they fish and use water as a power source. Finally, all life returns to the soil. People are not different; they are part of this life cycle.”
This is how Momo Yoshino describes what she learned during her trip to Oulu – what inspired the latest Oulu2026 mural by the Japanese artist. The new artwork can be admired in Toppila, at Mallastie 30.
When traveling to Toppila from the city centre, Yoshino’s mural quickly attracts attention with its orange colors and command of space. The mural consists of six parallel parts that stage-by-stage form a folded origami. The Japanese folding tradition suits the Finnish mindset well through the local relationship to nature.
”Origami reflects the idea of respect and connection. For a long time, folding paper has represented respecting both nature and people.”
New perspectives to art
Origami and murals as forms of art are both very familiar to the Tokyo University of the Arts graduate Yoshino. In her paintings, Yoshino utilizes optical illusions to activate the space between the artwork and the observer. Her goal is to challenge traditional forms of expression.
Murals are a typical art form for Momo Yoshino – she uses murals to explore the space utilized by artworks. Photo: Juuso Haarala
”I believe that, in a way, painting expands space around itself, and it also reaches people in different ways. Before murals, I have experimented with many styles of art to find the connection between my art and the space surrounding it”, Yoshino states.
Her art studies have allowed Yoshino to travel to many countries in Europe, but she had never been to Northern Europe or Finland before her visit to Oulu. Toppila’s Oulu2026 mural project was made in cooperation with the Japanese Tsurumi Public Art Project which focuses on communal art.
”I was very surprised to hear that I was chosen to be a part of this”, Yoshino recalls happily.
”Nature is always near in Oulu”
Yoshino arrived in Oulu in August and explored the region primarily by bicycle before painting the mural. She also held a workshop at a local school where fifth and sixth graders got to explore her art, make origami, and tell Yoshino what they liked about Oulu and Toppila.
Kami Circulation creates an origami stage-by-stage. Origami as an art form suits both the Japanese and Finnish mindsets. Photo: Juuso Haarala
”They told me that they liked fishing and swimming, for example. After the students’ tips, I decided to explore Toppilansaari. When I came to Oulu, I saw how close people are to nature.”
The initial inspiration for her artwork came to Yoshino already on the plane when she saw Finland for the first time.
”When I gazed out of the plane window, I was astonished by the flatness of the ground. I saw lakes all around, but I couldn’t see a single mountain.”
Yoshino ponders that the reason for the close relationship to nature of Finnish people could be due to this flatness of the ground. When comparing to Japan, forests and lakes are easily accessible in Oulu. The flat landscape reminded her of an origami.
”In my mural, the flat ground folds into an origami, step by step, with deep respect to nature, people, and the circle of life that connects them. The earthy orange reflects the soil and the warm brownish colors of Oulu’s rivers and the sea”, Yoshino explains.
Public art is crucial
Working and painting in Oulu went very well according to Yoshino, even if the implementation changed from the original plan. The artwork was meant to be located elsewhere in Toppila, and when the location changed, the artwork had to change as well.
The location of the mural changed from the original plan and is now located at the address Mallastie 33. Photo: Linnea Laatikainen / Oulu2026
”I designed a new concept to fit this long wall. This was the first time I pursued the origami concept in a mural”, Yoshino explains.
By the end of the project, rain slowed down the painting process. Yoshino’s flight to Japan was delayed for a couple of days so she could finish the mural. Local artist Marianne Kauppila, who specializes in murals, worked as Yoshino’s assistant. Yoshino extended a warm thank you to Kauppila for her work.
”Local people were curious about the mural and came to see what we were doing. ‘Very good’ they said”, Yoshino laughs.
Public art, like the Oulu2026 murals, are very important in Yoshino’s opinion. For her entire career, Yoshino has considered easily understandable and accessible art very important.
”Mural as an art form is clear, easy to see, and easy to understand in a good way. I want my art to reach people easily.”
Yoshino is happy with the experiences she had in Oulu. She was also eager to return home to Japan where her husband and three-year-old daughter awaited her.
”I am happy with the result. In Japan, I will continue with my next mural project.”
Next year’s mural will come to the city centre
- The locations of Oulu2026 murals have been chosen with an annual, open neighborhood polls.
- In previous years, murals have been created in Rajakylä, Tuira and Myllyoja. During the European Capital of Culture year, a mural will be created in the city centre and the artist will be chosen from Finland.
- Oulu2026 murals will be placed in the Oulu Art Museum’s collection after completion.