Sydän I – Heart I

Heart I: Embracing Oulu's Dialect

"Heart I" is a part of the "Oulu mukanasi – Oulu with You" series  2023. It stands as a vibrant tribute to the distinctive Oulu area dialect. The artwork features phrases like "Lähekkö nää kahaville" (Would you like to go for a coffee?) and "Ekkö nää paa pipua päähä" (Don't you put your beanie on?), among others. Additionally, it showcases two Oulu figures celebrating local life.

The inspiration for this piece emerged from my desire to express affection for our region's unique dialect—a linguistic gem that sets us apart. It's a testament to something extraordinary and worthy of celebration. The heart-shaped plywood was crafted by a local woodshop. I sealed the wood grains, primed the plywood, and painted the artwork with acrylics. There's a counterpart to this piece with reversed colors for the heart and text. In the second artwork, an Oulu dialect marriage proposal poem is inscribed.