Tapio Wirkkala (Finland), glass

Tapio Wirkkala (1915 – May 19) was a Finnish designer and sculptor. He is best known for his work in glass, but he also designed furniture, tableware, and other objects. Wirkkala was a major figure in the development of Finnish design, and his work is considered to be some of the most important of the 20th century.

Wirkkala was born in Hanko, Finland, in 1915. He studied sculpture at the Central School of Industrial Arts in Helsinki, graduating in 1936. After graduating, Wirkkala worked as a sculptor and designer for various companies. In 1946, he won a design competition for a new glass vase for the Iittala glassworks. The vase, called the Kantarelli, was a success, and it launched Wirkkala's career as a glass designer. He went on to design a wide variety of glass objects for Iittala, including vases, bowls, and tableware. His designs are characterized by their simple, more... elegant lines and their use of natural forms. Wirkkala's glassware is some of the most popular in the world, and it is often used in museums and exhibitions.

In addition to his work in glass, Wirkkala also designed furniture, tableware, and other objects. His furniture designs are characterized by their clean lines and their use of natural materials. Wirkkala's tableware designs are also simple and elegant, and they are often inspired by Finnish nature. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1951 and 1954. Wirkkala was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Wirkkala died in Helsinki in 1985. He was 69 years old. His work is considered to be an important part of Finnish design, and it continues to be admired by designers and collectors around the world. less...