ART OBJECT / ASHTRAY "ICE BREAKER" 3318

TAPIO WIRKKALA｜1915-1985｜FINLAND

Tapio Wirkkala was one of the most important figures in leading Finnish design to international success, and one of the most prominent designers of the 20th century.
His career took off after winning the Karhula-Iittala glass design competition in 1946, and he established his international 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, metalwork, 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 blending different domains such as nature and geometry, craft and industrial production, and art and utilitarian objects.
He connected artistry and industrial production at a high level through sculptural beauty based on a deep understanding of materials.

At the core of his creative approach was a "sense of touch," and he meticulously examined forms by drawing hundreds of sketches and creating models, practicing a unique design process that involved 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, 1957).