Petra Holkko finishing a painting at the boxing gym. Photo: Ika Närhi
Three large paintings featuring familiar faces from Veli Koota to Muhammad Ali have been created in the boxing hall of the Kankaanpää Sports Centre this year. The works were created in collaboration with five second-year students at SAMK Kankaanpää Art School.
The mural project was started by a visual artist William Heinonen about the proposal to bring color and energy to the new boxing gym. A five-person working group was selected for the project, which in the fall began to brainstorm and design the painting project, taking into account the wishes of the gym's users. Ultimately, the working group was given free rein for implementation.
The division of labor for the project was based on the artists' own interests. Julia Elo created a striking mural of Muhammad Ali on a brick wall, which is visible as soon as you enter the space from the door. Elo also painted part of the work while pounding on punching bags. On the other side of the ring was hung Ika Närhen, Petra Holkon ja Petronella Lukan a large-scale painting of successful local boxers created by hand. The dynamic work features Veli and Matti Koota, Janne Katajisto and Teresa Mäkinen. The work is complemented by Tiia Fromin A motivational text piece, executed as a mural with traditional boxing aesthetics.
"Working on the project was educational and a cool first contact with public art. The project has also opened up new job opportunities in public art," says Tiia From.
Paintings for the pre-continuum boxing gym work
Viljami Heinonen also carried out a similar mural project in 2015 with another group of students at the Art School, but the wall in question had to be demolished during the renovation of the sports center. Heinonen said that he hoped that the renovated boxing gym would have a similar atmosphere due to his own love for the sport. Overall, the project served as a work experience for the group's students and provided valuable experience in creating a public art piece.
The City of Kankaanpää's sports services and SAMK Kankaanpää Art School have long collaborated to promote well-being at various sports venues.
"In connection with the completion of the renovated sports center, the Art School proposed a work of art for the boxing gym that would fit the theme. The art students presented the proposals, from which the works that best suited the gym were then selected. They bring a nice sporty lift to the space and enliven the environment in accordance with the spirit. We are very satisfied and the cooperation will continue in the coming years whenever a suitable object appears," says the city's sports and well-being coordinator. Ilari Koykka.
The paintings are located in the boxing hall of the Kankaanpää Sports Center (Jämintie 10) and The announcement event will be held on Monday, April 24.4th at 13 p.m.
Additional information:
City of Kankaanpää, Sports and Wellbeing Coordinator Ilari Köykkä, tel. 044 577 2773, [email protected]
SAMK Kankaanpää Art School, Julia Elo tel. 044 204 8822, [email protected] and Ika Närhi tel. 044 277 1006, [email protected]