The artistic family of Karila Farm

Karilan Navettagalleria is filled with artwork and sculpures from our family members. We are indeed a very artistic bunch, deeply rooted in this little spot on earth. We draw our inspiration from the surrounding nature, the history of the area and our family, but also from the beliefs of the ancient people, underground spirits and elves.

On the back wall is Kirsi’s work “Roots”. The work can also be found on the wall of the barn in the yard of Tano’s house. The work was completed in -23 and the material is polished steel.

On the ceiling are some somewhat mystical linen paper sculptures from earlier years. Larissa is lying inside the glass-topped table. The work is Kirsi’s work from her time at the art school.

The colorful paintings on the walls are by Outa-Vertti Antikainen. The strong use of colors by the northern people is characteristic of Vertti’s paintings.

Elsa-Maria Kaulanen’s drawings and illustrations are on display on the café side. Karila’s old landlord, Heino, is looking on in the staircase. The painting is Elsa-Maria’s work from high school.

The puppet-like elves and creatures are the Barn Gallery’s own people, the work of Lea and Elsa-Maria.

Kirsi Kaulanen is a sculptor. Kirsi’s most famous works are the monument to President Mauno Koivisto, The Mediator, in front of the Little Parliament in Helsinki, and the Gaia sculpture in the Music House Kiasma. Kirsi’s public works can be found in various parts of Finland. Information about Kirsi’s work can be found here: https://kirsikaulanen.fi/
The Barn Gallery displays Kirsi’s sculptures from different periods. Kirsi Kaulanen’s father’s childhood home is Karila Farm, so Kirsi’s roots are here in Karila. Kirsi spent her childhood holidays here and still visits here several times a year.

Outa-Vertti Antikainen is one of Karila’s sons. Vertti graduated as a visual artist from the Kankaanpää Art School in the spring of -25. Verti’s paintings are on display at Navettagalleria.

Elsa-Maria Kaulanen, on the other hand, is one of Karila’s daughters. Elsa-Maria is an illustrator and her drawings and paintings are on display in the café. Her handiwork can be seen in the map drawings, the Navettagalleria logo, product labels and postcards. Elsa-Maria currently works as a civil engineer in Oulu, but illustration is still a beloved hobby for her.

Lea Kaulanen, who originally founded Navettagalleria, is both a storyteller and a puppeteer. Making puppets was originally a hobby, as was puppet theatre. Story-telling puppets are still on display at Navettagalleria, and for example, the Ylläs Visitor Centre Kellokas Meän elämää exhibition at the nature centre features dioramas built by Lea.

In addition, this winter, the Navettagalleria will also be exhibiting Sirpa Pakkanen’s striking stone paintings.