ART OBJECT (Q-COLOR)

TAPIO WIRKKALA｜1915-1985｜FINLAND

Tapio Wirkkala is one of the most important figures who led Finnish design to international success, and one of the most prominent designers of the 20th century.
His activities became full-fledged after winning the Karhula-Iittala glass design competition in 1946, and he established a global reputation with his 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 one-off art glass and sculptures, seamlessly bridging different domains such as nature and geometry, craft and industrial production, and art and practical items.
Through a sculptural beauty 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 a "sense of touch," and he practiced a unique design process that involved meticulously examining 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 wooden sculpture—at the Milan Triennale (1954, 1957).