Pikku-Huopalahti, 2005
Flower of Life art park
The Flower of Life is a play art park designed and created by artist Sanna Karlsson-Sutisna for children under three years of age. Its friendly wooden and bronze animals, colorful plexiglass walls, organically shaped wooden sculptures, and Ilmojen Impi (”Maiden of the Air”), carved into the ground, invite children to play while transforming the park into an experiential outdoor art exhibition.
Materials: Wood, bronze, concrete, plexiglass, mosaic
Commissioned by The City of Helsinki
Karlsson-Sutisnan’s artworks draw inspiration from the diversity of cultures, nature, and the environment. The sculptures in the play art park combine different materials and textures, and their many small details encourage visitors to pause, explore, and discover unexpected elements.
The Flower of Life Play Art Park was designed as part of an international EU project led by the Norwegian University, which explored how young children experience and interact with professional art. Its sister park, Fleur de Vie, was completed in Arques-la-Bataille, France, in 2006.
Residents of Pikku Huopalahti, the neighborhood surrounding Tilkaniitty, feel that the play art park has enhanced the area’s unique character and sense of place. The tranquility and natural surroundings inspired the creation of a space where young children can embark on artistic journeys of exploration.
