Eva Ryynänen

Eva Ryynänen (Finland, 1915–2001) was a sculptor known especially for her work in wood. The subjects of her sculptures were children, animals, and nature. She created over 500 sculptures, 50 of which were produced abroad. Her perhaps most famous creation is the Paateri church in North Karelia, which she built in 1989–1991 entirely of wood. She sculpted everything, including individually designed pews; the altar is an upturned root cluster of a spruce tree.