{"id":1231,"date":"2025-07-29T10:12:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T07:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mp.tyonalla.fi\/?page_id=1231"},"modified":"2025-07-29T10:12:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T07:12:48","slug":"biography","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/biography\/","title":{"rendered":"Biography"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:180px;padding-bottom:80px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(6,147,227,0) 2%,rgba(240,240,246,0.8) 88%,rgb(250,241,241) 100%);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1231_0b6de6-ac alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kb-blocks-bg-slider kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-bg-slider-init kt-carousel-arrowstyle-outlinewhite kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-type=\"slider\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"true\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\" data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"true\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\" data-show-pause-button=\"false\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide-contain\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide kb-bg-slide-0\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/matti-tyo3-telineet.jpg); background-size:cover; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kb-bg-slide-contain\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide kb-bg-slide-1\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/2511.jpg); background-size:cover; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kb-bg-slide-contain\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide kb-bg-slide-2\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/20060629_0200.jpg); background-size:cover; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kb-bg-slide-contain\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide kb-bg-slide-3\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/12839-012839.jpg); background-size:cover; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kb-bg-slide-contain\"><div class=\"kb-bg-slide kb-bg-slide-4\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/KYLRUKO2.jpg); background-size:cover; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-gradient\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1231_df42f4-19 kvs-md-false kvs-sm-false inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1231_a2069e-f2\">BiograPHY<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>1952<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Born in Virrat, Western Finland. A modest working-class home in a small rural township,&nbsp;father carpenter Eino Peltokangas, mother&nbsp;Lempi (n\u00e9e M\u00e4kinen), homemaker and later gardener. Parents met at the Serlachius paper mill where they both worked. Two older sisters, Raila and Marja-Liisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1955<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Father\u2019s carpentry shop burns down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1956<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The family moves to Lehdesm\u00e4ki Hauho, Southern Finland, to a farm with more than a hundred apple trees. Father slaps a knife in his hand and tells him to start making his own toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1959<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starts elementary school. Becomes interested in drawing and handicrafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1964<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starts senior primary school. Summer job at a carpentry shop, makes falcon cages for local huntsmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1966<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is accepted to vocational school in H\u00e4meen\u00ad\u00ad-linna where he completes his studies as a&nbsp;metal worker and a machinist. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1969<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gets a job manufacturing plastic tools at the Upo factory in the city of Lahti. Joins the factory\u2019s art club and builds himself an etching press. Attends a graphics course by Tapani Lemmink\u00e4inen at the Lito-Lemmink\u00e4inen private graphic art school. Befriends various artists there, including Rauno Salminen, Jukka Vikberg, Antero Olin, Antti Salokantele and Jorma Waskinen. Works in the evenings for goldsmith Kalle Kernala making jewelry models and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1971<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Does his military service in the H\u00e4meenlinna&nbsp;Garrison as a gunsmith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1972<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starts to work fulltime for goldsmith Kalle Kernala. Takes part in his first group exhibition: at the gallery of the Lammi Municipal Office,&nbsp;featuring works from Tapani Lemmink\u00e4inen (1912 \u2013 1971), who had died the previous year, and his latest students. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1973<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the 25th Anniversary Exhibition of the H\u00e4meenlinna Artists\u2019 Association at the H\u00e4meenlinna Art Museum. Takes part in the Annual Exhibition of the Lahti Artists\u2019 Association, first public mention in the Etel\u00e4-Suomen Sanomat newspaper (Mika Suvioja): \u201cA newer comer with personality\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moves to the city of H\u00e4meenlinna with his&nbsp;future wife, Marja-Leena (n\u00e9e Rantanen) and gets a job at the Hopeakeskus (later Kultakeskus) precious metal company, where he works as a steel engraver. Gets his first studio workspace. Joins the H\u00e4meenlinna Artists\u2019 Association. Continues to work with graphic arts. Gets to know other artists, including Ahti Isom\u00e4ki, Pertti Kukkonen and Lea Turto. Takes part in the Annual Exhibition of the H\u00e4meenlinna Artists\u2019 Association. Critic Irmeli Paavola scolds him in the H\u00e4meen Sanomat newspaper for a \u201cslack and inexact treatment of the metal plate\u201d. Takes part in a group exhibition organized in connection with a graphic art course by Jorma Waski\u00adnen, at Kes\u00e4kis\u00e4lli, Janakkala. Takes part in the H\u00e4me Regional Art Exhibition at the Lahti Art Museum. According to Mika Suv\u00adioja\u2019s review in the Etel\u00e4-Suomen Sanomat newspaper, shows \u201caspiration towards distinctive and unique expression\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1975<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the Annual Exhibition of the Hameenlinna Artists\u2019 Association with his \u201ccompact, little works\u201d (Maila Tuominen in the Aamu\u00adlehti newspaper). According to Irmeli Paavola from the Etel\u00e4-Suomen Sanomat newspaper, \u201che hasn\u2019t yet developed the skill to tonally modulate his prints\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1976<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahti Isom\u00e4ki and Lea Turto take his works, without asking for permission, to the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, getting him an invitation to the entrance exams. Takes part in a two-week entrance course. Encouraged by Anita Snellman, also does a demonstration work in&nbsp;painting, in which he ends up accepted. His teachers include Anita Snellman, Erik Granqvist, Timo Aalto, Yrj\u00e4n\u00e4 Levanto, Matti Kujasalo, Rafael Wardi, Jaakko Siev\u00e4nen, Viktor Kuusela and Juho Karjalainen. Takes part in the H\u00e4me Regional Art Exhibition; according to an anonymous critic in the H\u00e4meen Kansa newspaper: \u201ceven Matti Peltokangas has nothing to be ashamed of\u201d. Takes part for the first time in&nbsp;the Annual Exhibition of the Union of Finnish Art Associations, held at the Tampere Art&nbsp;Museum. Takes part for the first time in the&nbsp;Annual Young Artists Exhibition of the Artists\u2019 Association of Finland. A.I. Routio from the Uusi Suomi newspaper is impressed by \u201cthe powerful dusky light of his urban imagery\u201d, while Eeva Siltavuori from the Helsingin Sanomat news\u00adpaper praises him for \u201chis skillful&nbsp;romanticizing of lyrical pictures\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1977<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the Annual Exhibition of the Union of Finnish Art Associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1978<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gets married to Marja-Leena. Their son, Tuomas, is born. They live in Lahti. Takes part for the third and last time in the Annual Exhibition of the Union of Finnish Artist Associations. Takes part for the second and last time in the Annual Young Artists Exhibition. The City of H\u00e4meenlinna acquires for its vocational training center 14 works from 12 members of the H\u00e4meenlinna Artists\u2019 Association, including a print from Peltokangas. Takes part in a group exhibition with Mikko Mikkola and Pertti Kukkonen in the City Hall of H\u00e4meenlinna in connection with the H\u00e4meenlinna Festival. Takes part in the activities of the J\u00e4rk\u00e4le art collective, initiated by Juhani Pet\u00e4j\u00e4niemi, in the former atelier of Finland\u2019s national sculptor W\u00e4in\u00f6 Aaltonen in Helsinki, where he lives with Pet\u00e4j\u00e4niemi, until the building is demolished somewhat scandalously in 1981. The other actives in the collective included, for example, Antero Toikka, Pekka Kauhanen, Kari Nuutinen, Raili Tang and Olli Kokkonen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1979<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Switches to sculpture with the support and encouragement of Harry Kivij\u00e4rvi. Meets Heikki H\u00e4iv\u00e4oja, works as his assistant for about six years. Also works as Kain Tapper\u2019s assistant briefly. Keeps a studio in&nbsp;&nbsp;downtown Helsinki. Continues to pursue his interests in drawing at, for example, the croquis evenings at Kunst\u00adhalle Helsinki. Takes part for the first time in the Annual Exhibition of Finnish Artists. \u201cIt somehow feels like the model\u2019s life has stopped also in Matti Peltokangas\u2019 painting Pekka\u201d,&nbsp;remarks A.I. Raunio in the Uusi Suomi newspaper. According to Tapani Kovanen from the Suomen Sosiaali\u00addemokraatti newspaper, Peltokangas does however have \u201ca good grip on his portraits\u201d. Takes part in a collective painting at an art center of the Finnish Adult Education Center of the City of Helsinki, together with students from the University of Art and Design Helsinki.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1980<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His second son, Tuukka, is born. Takes part for the second and last time in the Annual&nbsp;Exhibition of Finnish Artists. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1981<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gets his degree from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts. Moves into a student flat in Helsinki. Starts to make medals and take part in competitions. Purchase of commemorative coin in honor of the Ice Hockey World Championships, I Prize in the Annual Medal Competition of the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland. Accepted as member of the Association of Finnish Sculptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1983<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buys a small, old house in the district of Vartiokyl\u00e4 in Helsinki, on the lot of which he later builds his studio home. Takes part in the&nbsp;FIDEM International Art Medal Exhibition in&nbsp;Florence, travels there. Meets there sculptor Heikki Varja, with whom he acquaints himself with Renaissance sculptures. Takes part in the Mitalin uusi kev\u00e4t (New Spring of Medal Art) group exhibition at the Helsinki City Art&nbsp;Museum. II Prize in sculpture competition for a seafaring memorial in the city of Oulu. II Prize in the Annual Medal Competition of the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland. I Prize in the competition for a memorial for the urn garden in the Kouvola Old Cemetery. The winning entry, figurative bronze-cast Muisto (Memory), is completed the following year. Helps Heikki W.&nbsp;Virolainen to weld a metal sculpture, and Virolainen rewards him with a trip to Egypt, where he becomes acquainted with sculpting in Cairo,&nbsp;Luxor and Aswan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1984<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Father dies. Peltokangas is employed as teacher of plastic composition at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. I Prize in the&nbsp;Annual Medal Competition of the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland. Pays for his house and lot by enlarging and casting into bronze the DIY sculpture by farmer Aarne Hakala-Rahko, the Jussi statue, which is unveiled outside the entrance of the regional business school. Local constructivist painter Seppo-Juhannus Tanninen humorously commented on the visual arts event in a newspaper interview that the sculpture could just as well have been covered by a garbage bag. A police patrol was actually posted by the statue on the night before the unveiling. Later on, the statue was moved to a less conspicuous spot, behind some trees on the school grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Travels to China on a tour organized by the Workers\u2019 Educational Association of Finland. Visits, for example, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Xi\u2019an hosting the terracotta army of more than 7000 soldiers. Takes part in the FIDEM International Art Medal Exhibition in Stockholm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1986&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the Wanajan \u00e4\u00e4rell\u00e4 (By Lake Wanaja) group exhibition at the H\u00e4meenlinna Art Museum with his wood sculptures. Makes a crucifix for the L\u00e4nsi-Pasila Church in&nbsp;Helsinki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1987&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the FIDEM International Art Medal Exhibition in Colorado Springs, USA. Takes part&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 20th Anniversary Exhibition of the Helsinki Artists\u2019 Association, Hedelmi\u00e4 (Fruit), in Kunsthalle Helsinki.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1988<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I Prize in the Annual Medal Competition of the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland. Makes a&nbsp;crucifix for the Rekola Church in Vantaa and for the Kerava Church. His first public sculpture of stone, Kev\u00e4t (Spring), commissioned by the City of H\u00e4meenlinna, is unveiled outside the city\u2019s vocational training center. It is at the time the largest sculpture ever made in Finland of a single block of stone, the red granite block weighing approximately 65 000 kilos. A model was made out of Styrofoam to find a place where the statue could be fitted. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1989<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gives his first solo exhibition in Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki. His sculpture Kehr\u00e4 (Spindle), placed in the park outside the gallery, awoke a large amount of positive attention and also discussion on its permanent placement in the park. Erkki Pirtola writes in the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper \u201cWith his stone ball, Matti Peltokangas justifies in the Helsinki Plague Park the art of sculpture for a long time to come. It has happily rolled out of gallery slavery. It stops people\u201d. Takes part in the Second International Quadrennial of Medals in Kremnica, Czechoslovakia. The City of Lohja purchases his bronze sculpture, Muoto (Form), which is placed in the park of the Lohja Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1990<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the exhibition Nach den Regeln der Kunst in Frankfurt organized by the Artists\u2019 Association of Finland. The exhibition is continued the following year in Fulda, Germany, and later in Joensuu, Finland. I Prize in the sculpture competition of the University of Oulu. The winning entry, Yhtyv\u00e4t s\u00e4teet (The Uniting Rays), is completed in 1992. Takes part in the FIDEM International Art Medal Art Exhibition in Helsinki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1992<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Makes the work Kasvu (Growth), commissioned by the City of Vantaa for the grounds of a college of social work. Holds a solo exhibition in the Hvittr\u00e4sk Villa in Kirkkonummi, the exhibition activities of which were long managed by the Association of Finnish Sculptors. Makes as a commissioned work the sculpture Yhtyv\u00e4t s\u00e4teet (Uniting Rays) for the ETYK&nbsp;Congress Center in Helsinki.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1993<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wins the competition for a memorial to Lauri Kristian Relander, second president of Finland. The winning entry Alhaalta sis\u00e4\u00e4n, ylh\u00e4\u00e4lt\u00e4 ulos (From Bottom to Top, from Inside Out) is completed during the following two years on a windy dockside construction site in Vuosaari, Helsinki. The sculpture is unveiled in T\u00f6\u00f6l\u00f6, Helsinki in 1996.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1994<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holds an exhibition together with Juhani Harri and Tapani Mikkonen in Galleria Artina, Helsinki. Makes the commissioned work Kallioaurinko (The Rock Sun) for the grounds of the&nbsp;&nbsp;college of laboratory sciences in K\u00e4pyl\u00e4, Helsinki. Takes part in the group exhibition Kiven heijas\u00adtuksia (Reflections of Stone) organized in Kunsthalle Helsinki by Taide\u00adkiven\u00adveisto\/Art Stonework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1995<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the Sculptor95 exhibition of the<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Association of Finnish Sculptors in Suomenlinna, Helsinki. The Saastamoinen Foundation purchases Kulku (Path), the only work at the exhibition. Takes part in the group exhibition Suhteita (Relationships) at the Museum of Finnish Architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1996<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the group exhibition Veistoksia Oopperassa (Sculptures at the Opera) of Taidekivenveisto\/Art Stonework in Helsinki. Takes part in the competition for a memorial to President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, is selected to the final round with his two entries, of which the figurative Urkki ja Sylvi, of the President and his wife, wins the audience vote. This eventually leads to a commission in 2007 from the City of Raahe for a sculpture portraying&nbsp;President Kekkonen alone. Peltokangas is candidate for the Ars Fennica Award, the highest art award in Finland. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1997<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solo exhibition in Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki. Takes part in the summer exhibition Suvi-Pinx in Sysm\u00e4. Takes part together with Kari Huhtamo, Jorma Hautala, Hannu Siren and Matti Kujasalo in Outside In, a group exhibition introducing contemporary Finnish art in the Drecht Banks Sculpture Park and the Museum of Modern Art, De Rietgors, travels to the Netherlands to attend. His work Valovarjovalo (Lightshadowlight) is purchased to the sculpture park. Takes part in the international sculpture exhibition Standing Stones in Stockholm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1998<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in a group exhibition in Galerie Artek, Helsinki, together with Pekka Kauhanen, Jari Juvonen and Kain Tapper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1999<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in a group exhibition at the Tytyri Mine Gallery in Lohja together with Tapio Junno, Pirkko Nukari, Pekka Pitk\u00e4nen and Minna Tuominen. II Prize in the Annual Medal Competition of the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland. Makes the It\u00e4-Helsinki Trophy, commissioned by the Federation of Eastern Helsinki Enterprises, Lions Club Eastern Helsinki and the Helsingin uutiset newspaper. The trophy, J\u00e4ljenj\u00e4tt\u00e4j\u00e4 (Markmaker), is permanently located in the lobby of the Stoa Cultural Center of Eastern Helsinki. Receives Honorary Award in the 2000 Medal Competition of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2000<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mother dies. The death of his mother is the underlying theme in his solo exhibition at Galleria Artina, Helsinki. Commissioned by the Guild of Medallic Art in Finland, makes the presidential medal on President Tarja Halonen. Makes the public work Juhlap\u00f6yt\u00e4 (Dinner Table) commissioned to the Pit\u00e4j\u00e4m\u00e4ki district in Helsinki. Later adds to the site also the works Laskos (Curtain, 2001) and Rukouskivi (Prayer Stone, 2002). The site, with its forest church like atmosphere, has ever since hosted various church events. The G\u00f6sta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation commissions the sculpture Vuosi 2000 (Year 2000), which is placed in the park of the M\u00e4ntt\u00e4 Church. Later it turns out that there used to be a quarry at the site. Takes part in the group exhibition Granitas in the Nissbacka Manor Sculpture Park together with Ukri Merikanto, Matti Nurminen and Laila Pullinen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2001<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in a group exhibition at the Kerava Art Museum. Takes part in the International Sculpture Symposium in Hangzhou, China. While there, realizes the work Viuhka (Fan), which remains on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2002<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holds a solo exhibition in Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki. Prepares the sculpture Tarrautuminen (Clinging) for the sculpture street in the city of Kotka. Later has to make a new stone ball to replace one that was stolen at night. Local musclemen rolled the stone balls at least that one time down the park street. Makes a bronze bust of Heikki Haavisto as a commissioned work for the Pellervo Confederation of Finnish Cooperatives. Makes a commissioned work of environmental art together with architect Sari Nieminen for the urn garden of the Honka\u00adnummi Cemetery in Vantaa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2003<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the summer exhibition of the Salmela Art Center in M\u00e4ntyharju. Makes a bronze portrait of President Relander commissioned for the Parliament of Finland. Wins the invitational competition of the Mint of Finland for a commemorative coin in the field of coin art. An edition of 20000 pieces is minted of the coin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the exhibition Nelj\u00e4 taiteilijaa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keravalla (Four Artists in Kerava) at the Kerava Art Museum, together with Pekka Hepoluhta, Matti Kujasalo and Timo Set\u00e4l\u00e4. Takes part in a group exhibition in the Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 pedestrian street. The City of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 purchases the work Kahden kesken (Two of Us). Makes a bronze portrait relief of sports administration dignitary E.A. Wuokko for the Helsinki Sports Hall.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2005<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holds together with Tapani Mikkonen the exhibition Taiden\u00e4yttely (Art Exhibition) at Galleria G in Helsinki, where also a large number of his drawings are featured. Takes part in the&nbsp;Sculptor 2005 exhibition of the Association of Finnish Sculptors at the Salo Art Museum. Holds a solo exhibition at Galleria ORTON, which is connected to the ORTON Orthopaedic Hospital in Helsinki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2006<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the summer exhibition Veistosten T\u00f6\u00f6l\u00f6nlahti (Contemporary Finnish Sculpture in the T\u00f6\u00f6l\u00f6nlahti Bay Area) of Taide\u00adkivenveisto\/Art Stonework in Helsinki. Makes the stone relief Varjo ja aurinko (Shadow and Sun) commissioned for a home for the ageing in the city of H\u00e4meenlinna. Makes the work Kaamos ja aurinko (Darkness and Sun) for&nbsp;businessman and art collector Erkki Heikkinen\u2019s villa in Lapland. The small sculpture park at the edge of a bog also includes works from Pekka Kauhanen and Ukri Merikanto. Makes the memorial Rauhanturvaajien muistomerkki (Memorial to the Peacekeepers) commissioned for the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki. Makes a 100th&nbsp;&nbsp;anniversary small sculpture commissioned by the Finnish Wrestling Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2007<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the Norwegian-Finnish sculpture exhibition Kontra in Oslo, travels there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Takes part in the exhibition Kuvan j\u00e4lkeen (Image and After) presenting works from the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and in the Taabor 08 group sculpture exhibition in Nurmij\u00e4rvi. The bronze sculpture of President Kekkonen is unveiled in the city of Raahe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Works in collections<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hauho Municipality<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City of Kotka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kerava Congregation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helsinki City Art Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oulu Art Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OKO Bank Art Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lohja Art Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>State of Finland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wihuri Foundation\/Rovaniemi Art Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>G\u00f6sta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation, M\u00e4ntt\u00e4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saastamoinen Foundation\/EMMA \u2013 Espoo Museum of Modern Art<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>W\u00e4in\u00f6 Aaltonen Museum of Art, Turku<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kerava Art Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collections of Henna and Pertti Niemist\u00f6\/H\u00e4meenlinna Art Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kerava Art Museum&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BiograPHY 1952 Born in Virrat, Western Finland. A modest working-class home in a small rural township,&nbsp;father carpenter Eino Peltokangas, mother&nbsp;Lempi (n\u00e9e M\u00e4kinen), homemaker and later gardener. Parents met at the Serlachius paper mill where they both worked. Two older sisters, Raila and Marja-Liisa. 1955 Father\u2019s carpentry shop burns down. 1956 The family moves to Lehdesm\u00e4ki&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1231","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"katjalampela","author_link":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/author\/katjalampela\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1231"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1233,"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231\/revisions\/1233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattipeltokangas.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}