Outdoor sculptures

Outdoor sculptures and environmental art in Turku

Nearly hundred outdoor sculptures and works of environmental art belonging to the Turku City Art Collection decorate Turku’s cityscape. In addition to traditional monuments and representative sculptures, these works of art include participatory modern art and temporary works.

The oldest outdoor sculpture in the collection is the memorial designed by Carl Eneas Sjöstrand of historian and professor of The Royal Academy of Turku H.G. Porthan (1864). The first outdoor sculpture purchased with the city’s own funds was Turun Lilja (1928) by Wäinö Aaltonen, which has since become a symbol of Turku and an integral part of the May Day celebrations.

The environmental art project of the Pro Cultura Foundation at the turn of the 21st century brought international modern art into the streets of Turku. In 2011 Turku was the European Capital of Culture, introducing plenty of new art to the city including the Central Park of Culture and Exercise and the Clay in the City projects.