Kalle Siltanen
Art Studio: Omapolku
I work at the OmaPolku Atelier three days a week. In addition, I work at the Pirkkala ABC store two days a week.
I mostly work by drawing and painting. I use graphite pencils to sketch new artworks. The final pieces are painted with watercolors, and sometimes I use fiber-tip pens.
I also create ceramic sculptures. I start by sketching the sculptures on paper, after which I model them from clay and carve them hollow. The finished sculptures are first fired in a bisque firing, after which I glaze them. The sculptures are then fired again in a glaze firing in a ceramic kiln, and after that, they are completely finished.
In my art, I explore Finnish mythology, folklore, urban legends, and creatures of my own invention. My themes revolve around well-known myths—I want these stories to continue circulating from one generation to the next. I also compile lists of various creatures and myths from old Finnish dictionaries. These lists serve as the starting point when I paint myths and characters I have created.
I draw inspiration from various books, manga, and anime, as well as image sites on the internet. One of my greatest inspirations is Shigeru Mizuki’s Yokai works.
Artworks
CV
b. 1998
CONTACT INFORMATION
OmaPolku
Phone: +358 40 0510147
Email: omapolku@setlementtitampere.fi
EDUCATION
2016–2019 | Vocational Qualification in Household and Cleaning Services, Luovi Vocational College, Tampere
WORK EXPERIENCE
2019–present | OmaPolku Atelier, Pirkanmaa Settlement Services Ltd, Tampere
2019–present | Pirkkala ABC, part-time employment
EXHIBITIONS
2025-2022 | My Everyday – collaborative artwork and exhibitions with NOA Nordic Outsider Art network, Gallery ARX in Hämeenlinna 2022, Gallery IPIOMA in Helsinki 2022, HV-Galleri in Stockholm 2023, Näsin kartano in Porvoo 2024 and Galleri Nord Norge in Harstad 2025
2024 | “The Celebration Continues!” – OmaPolku group exhibition, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere
2024 | “Celebration! 20 Years of OmaPolku” – OmaPolku group exhibition, Laikku Gallery, Tampere
2022 | “The Enchanted Garden” – Joint exhibition by OmaPolku and Inuti, Haihara Art Center, Tampere
2021 | “Forest Cover” – Poster series featuring watercolor paintings by Kalle Siltanen, Yösäilö (Showcase Gallery), Tampere
2021 | “The Enchanted Garden” – Group exhibition of plant-dye artworks by Art Workshop participants, Tahmela Villa, Tampere
2019 | “VAKU” – Anniversary exhibition by the Wäinö Aaltonen Foundation, series of plant-dye artworks by Art Workshop participants, Meri-Karina Wellbeing Center, Turku
OTHER PROJECTS
2023–2025 | Participation in the Nordplus WE – Wonders and Expressions project. Collaborative artistic work with other project artists. Group exhibition at Inuti Gallery, Stockholm (05/2025)
2022 | Illustrations for a work-related brochure, commissioned by Omillaan Cooperative
2021 | Illustrations for a daycare-themed brochure, commissioned by Omillaan Cooperative
2020 | YOKAI Coloring Book, published by Setlementti Tampere