Taidekivenveisto (Art Stonework) carries on the work of the marble & stonecutting shop founded in 1945 by Martti Saarinen, who ran the business until 1983, initially in the industrial area of Mäkelä, and in its present location in the Helsinki suburb of Tattarinsuo from 1972 onwards.

In 1983, the workshop came under the management of the Association of Finnish Sculptors. While continuing to provide stonecutting services to artists, it also began organising sculpture classes and exhibitions. As the Association proved unable to keep up the workshop, however, it was taken over in 1989 by a group of sculptors calling themselves Taidekivenveisto.

Today, dozens of Finnish sculptors use the workshop and the services it provides: free use of the premises, tools and equipment, and the opportunity to seek technical consultancy and other expert advice. The workshop also houses a blacksmith’s forge whose services are of great use to the sculptors.

The workshop owes a debt of gratitude to senior stonecutters: Martti Saarinen and Esko Julin, who have assisted in the production of sculptures and have provided artists with valuable instruction in the craft of stonecutting.

For the sculptors who use the workshop, the main advantage it offers is the chance to share a creative environment with colleagues and exchange criticism, encouragement and support in their demanding work.

Aside from running the workshop, Taidekivenveisto also organises courses, excursions and exhibitions.

Stone and wood are the oldest sculpting materials known to man. Sculpting in stone nevertheless takes great skill, special tools and a properly equipped workshop. In this respect, Taidekivenveisto ry has made an important contribution towards enabling Finnish sculptors to practice their art, improve their skills, network with colleagues and show their work to the public.

MEMBERS
Jari Juvonen - Pekka Kaikkonen - Antero Koskinen - Ukri Merikanto - Matti Nurminen - Ville Mäkikoskela - Veikko Nuutinen - Matti Peltokangas - Timo Pyhälä - Arvo Siikamäki - Minna Tuominen

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

Veistosten Töölönlahti 2006 - Contemporary Finnish Sculpture in the Töölönlahti Bay Area
Artists: Maria Duncker - Radoslaw Gryta - Markku Hirvelä - Jari Juvonen - Erkki Kannosto - Harald Karsten - Antero Koskinen - Pertti Kukkonen - Bjarne Lönnroos - Ukri Merikanto - Ville Mäkikoskela - Jarkko Myllykangas - Matti Nurminen - Veikko Nuutinen - Matti Peltokangas - Timo Pyhälä - Antero Toikka - Jukka Tuominen - Minna Tuominen - Seppo Uuranmäki

Veistosten Töölönlahti 2000
Artists: Heikki Aspinen , Jari Juvonen, Antero oskinen, Petti Kukkonen, Olavi Lanu Ukri Merikanto, Matti Nurminen, Paula Nurminen, Veikko Nuutinen , Arvo Siikamäki, Anneli Sipiläinen, Ossi Somma, Antero Toikka, Jukka Tuominen ja Minna Tuominen.