European television audiences were captured in 2024 by a moustachioed man sporting very short denim shorts and a curly blond mullet.
“No rules!” he sang, dancing around with boundless energy in the beloved Eurovision Song Contest.
Doing your own thing and ignoring made-up boundaries is more than just a catchphrase for Windows95Man – and the man behind the character.
Teemu Keisteri is an artist who knows no rules when it comes to artistic expression: he’s a trained photographer, painter, animator, gallerist, DJ and musician. In the art scene, he’s known for his Ukkeli character, a yellow figure with a big yellow butt, seen in playful paintings, murals and clothes.
One of Keisteri’s fondest childhood memories is of children’s art club, where he started at only five years old. His teacher there encouraged artistic freedom and exploration.
“She said: ‘Teemu, when you draw, you don’t have to use an eraser, mistakes don’t exist.’ I remember being super stoked about that.”
Now, he tries to encourage the same creative and boundary-ignoring spirit in his four-year-old son.
Experiences that stick
Keisteri’s creative streak was encouraged throughout his childhood. His engineer parents took the kids to art shows and cultural events from an early age.
Keisteri still remembers the awe he felt walking around Töölö Bay in Helsinki during the Night of the Arts, an annual celebration of culture open to everyone. The summer night was filled with people, artworks and a floating stage where musicians were playing children’s music.
“These things have stuck with me since,” he says.
Exposure to culture in all its forms was transformative for him, so he’s trying to pass the same experiences on to his son.
Keisteri and his wife, Dutch artist Annick Ligtermoet, share a studio close to their home in Espoo, in the Helsinki capital area. The four-year-old spends a lot of time there, too, doing his own thing. Keisteri proudly says he has become a skilled DJ, mixing songs like “No Rules” by his old man and tunes from Star Wars.
“It’s important to let him explore. I want him to have the freedom to be himself and experiment on his own terms.”
Father and son often get creative together, painting photorealistic watercolour versions of the son’s favourite Star Wars characters and hanging them on his bedroom walls. The duo also takes photographs with an old film camera.
“It’s a fun, slow activity; we take photos of interesting things, send the film to be developed and wait for the photographs to arrive. It’s a good alternative to screen time.”
Culture for kids and adults alike
A young visitor explores the Museum of Play in Espoo, near Helsinki, which highlights the history and joy of playing.Photo: Pekka Elomaa / The Museum Play
Fathers in Finland are actively involved in their children’s lives. Sometimes, Keisteri takes his son out of kindergarten for the day so the two can visit a museum or an activity park. Keisteri and other local dads also have a chat group for event suggestions.
“There are so many activities available for children, often for free, at least here in the capital region,” he says. “Almost every weekend, we head out and stumble upon something interesting.”
The Finnish children’s culture scene is vibrant, with exhibitions, plays, concerts, workshops and other events for kids of all ages. Keisteri and his son especially enjoy activities where they can get active, creative and playful together. One of their favourite places is the playground next to the monument to composer Jean Sibelius, where children – and playful adults – can make music with steel instruments.
Keisteri admits he dreams of building his own playground.
“It would combine play and art, and kids could climb and explore art physically. And it would definitely have a yellow butt slide,” he says, laughing.
“I try to keep a childlike playfulness in everything I do. Also my art is all about playful experimentation.”
Finnish children’s culture: Teemu’s tips
- Leikki – The Museum of Play
“A fantastic museum in Espoo showcasing the history of play and toys. You can of course play inside the museum, and there is a lot to see and do for smaller kids, too.” - Children’s band Fröbelin Palikat
“We often put their music videos on the big screen and dance along. In summer 2024, the band played for thousands of adults at Ruisrock, one of the biggest festivals in Finland.” - The Sibelius Monument
playground
“An incredible open playground next to the monument of Jean Sibelius, Finland’s most famous composer. There are swings and climbing structures, and kids can play different kinds of steel instruments.”
By Lotta Heikkeri, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
