TAPIO WIRKKALA RUT BRYK AWARD

The Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Award is a tribute to high-level professionalism that develops new design thinking, to material know-how, and to an understanding of design traditions. The prize is a miniature sculpture realised according to Tapio Wirkkala’s plan, made from the original rhythmic plywood donated to the Foundation.

The prize, which is usually awarded every three years, was last presented in 2019 to the German artist Hinrich Kröger. At that time, the recipient was selected by ceramist Nathalie Lautenbacher and PhD, adjunct professor Harri Kalha. The winner of the 2016 award, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, was selected by Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen.

The third Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Award is given to the American artist Theaster Gates.The event was part of the main event series of the Architecture and Design Days festival at Helsinki City Hall. The award recipient was selected by artist Sasha Huber and architect Samuli Woolston, at the request of the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation.