In English

"There is a sculpture hiding in every tree. I just release it free."

I am Mr Pertti Karhunen from Finland and I have made wooden art since 1989. When I was a little boy, I was interested in drawing and woodwork. When I grew up, I wanted to make sculptures from wood. I was lucky to get guidance from Paavo Tiihonen and Niilo Lehikoinen on how to improve my technique and how to use various equipment. I have developed my own carving style over a long period of time.  

Woodcarving has taken me around the world. I have spent months in Europe, mostly in Switzerland and Germany participating in Wood Art exhibitions and giving demonstrations in woodcarving. All my work is customized to meet the requirements and desires of my customers.   

Most of my artwork presents animals. Nature is close to my heart as well as animals. Animals are honest, innocent, and make us feel emphatic, calm and positive overall. They bring the nature closer to us.

Bear is the most common theme for my sculptures. It's not, because my last name in English is Bear. A bear is big, strong, mysterious, rarely seen and it's a Finnish national animal. I have carved over 1 000 bears and they are 'probably the best bears in the World'. 

Wood is a challenging, warm and beautiful material. Even if you cut the tree, it keeps living and reforming. Every tree species are different to carve and every log is an individual. Therefore, every sculpture is unique.

My studio is located in Mikkeli. From Arktos Studio, my works have travelled to the USA, Japan, Australia, and all over the Europe and Finland.

If You are interested in having a piece of my work, please do not hesitate to contact me.