Vantaa explores new graffiti initiatives to enhance local art scene in Finland

Last spring, Vantaa opened its first legal public graffiti wall, a twenty-meter long structure made of plywood located in Koivukylä, adjacent to the main railway line. This wall allows passersby on trains to admire rotating graffiti artworks. Jesse Pasanen, a member of the art collective Street Art Vantaa (SAV), expressed that one wall is insufficient for a city aiming to be recognized in the graffiti scene. “Vantaa is currently lagging in this area. With this single wall, we are at the bottom tier among smaller cities,” Pasanen noted.

Vantaa’s relationship with graffiti has significantly changed since the 1990s when the city had a more positive attitude. In the early 2000s, it began covering up 1990s graffiti in response to Helsinki’s strict zero-tolerance policy, undermining the local graffiti culture. Legendary pieces from the 90s were painted over, a decision Pasanen argues has negatively impacted Finnish graffiti art.

Recently, however, Vantaa has shifted its approach, seeking to cultivate a supportive environment for graffiti artists, as seen with initiatives like the Koivukylä wall. Henry Westlin, a city engineer, shared that the city is considering additional locations for new graffiti walls or activities.

Pasanen advocates for bold new projects, envisioning a large graffiti park in the city for painting trains and buses—a “graffiti Eureka” for artists. Such a park would not only enhance Vantaa’s reputation but also attract graffiti enthusiasts from other regions. Discussions about this idea are ongoing, with hopes that administrative support will soon materialize into action.