ART OBJECT 3538

TAPIO WIRKKALA｜1915-1985｜FINLAND

Tapio Wirkkala was one of the most important figures to lead Finnish design to international success and a leading designer of the 20th century.
His career gained momentum after winning the Karhula-Iittala glass design competition in 1946, and he established his global reputation with the exhibition design for the Finnish pavilion at the Milan Triennale in 1951.

He worked in a wide range of fields including glass, woodworking, metal crafts, and ceramics, collaborating with many companies such as Iittala, Kultakeskus, and Rosenthal.
He transcended genres, from mass-produced products to unique art glass and sculptures, seamlessly blending seemingly disparate areas such as nature and geometry, craft and industrial production, and art and utilitarian objects.
Through his aesthetic forms based on a deep understanding of materials, he connected artistry and industrial production at a high level.

At the core of his creative approach was the "sense of touch"; he practiced a unique design process involving meticulous examination of forms by drawing hundreds of sketches and creating models, followed by repeated prototyping.
He was also strongly influenced by the nature of Lapland, and its landscapes and ice formations served as inspiration for many of his works.

He received numerous awards, including the Lunning Prize (1956) and Grand Prix awards in three categories (exhibition, glass, and wood sculpture) at the Milan Triennale (1954 and 1957).