While living in Lapinlahti he sculpted images of the common people as well as public works, which he often made from Finnish wood and stone.

After moving to Helsinki in 1919 Eemil Halonen concentrated on commissioned works, for example gravestones.

Eemil Halonen is one of the most notable interpreters of Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala.

During his artistic career, which lasted more than 50 years, he repeatedly depicted subjects from the Kalevala.

For Eemil Halonen the Kalevala was a sacred book that broadly affected his view of life.