A new commissioned artwork will be created at the Jämintie roundabout in Kankaanpää, complementing the city's 30-year-old public art project, Taidekehä. The work will be created in collaboration with Vatajankoski Oy, which will celebrate its centenary in 2026.
The technical committee of the city of Kankaanpää selected visual artist Paula Salmela as the artist for the project on 25 February 2026 (§ 27). The expanded Taidekehä working group unanimously selected the work “Current” from Salmela’s three proposed works.
The working group included Eero Hammais, Communications Manager of Vatajankoski Oy, Matti Velhonoja, Education Manager of SAMK Kankaanpää Art School, and visual artist Laura Lilja, Maija Anttila from the Kankaanpää Art Association, as well as Pentti Saloniemi, Technical Director of the City of Kankaanpää, Kati Vainio, Director of the City Museum, and Elina Jokinen, Gardener.
According to the working group, the work's organic and undulating design language is an excellent fit for the traffic environment. The cellular structure embodies movement, flow, networks and continuous change – themes that are also naturally related to Vatajankoski Oy's operations and century-long history as a builder of the region's vitality.
– “Power” depicts the city as a living, breathing entity. It is about growth, community, and how new energy constantly creates opportunities for renewal, the artist Paula Salmela says.
The 5,6 m x 3 m x 1,1 m work, made of Corten steel, is long-lasting and well-suited to its environment. The red-brown tone of the work refers to the cycle of nature and the passage of time. The lighting emphasizes the organic form of the work even in the dark.
The working group assessed that the work strengthens the identity and amenity of the place and meets the artistic, technical and financial goals set for the project.
The costs of the work are covered by the City of Kankaanpää and Vatajankoski Oy, which also takes care of the lighting of the work.
– We want to do our part to support the amenity of the area, and we hope that the artwork will bring joy to people's everyday lives. It will be a spectacular landmark that also celebrates Vatajankoski's 100-year journey, says Vatajankoski's communications manager Eero Hammais.
The work is scheduled to be completed at the Jämintie roundabout during autumn 2026, by the end of November at the latest.
The theme of the work at the Jämintie roundabout is joy, light and energy. Once completed, the work will bring a new visible addition to the Kankaanpää Art Circle.
Photo: Kankaanpää City Museum
Further information: Kati Vainio, Director of the City Museum, City of Kankaanpää, [email protected], TWO TWO WHEN TWO