Press releases (PDF)
18.10.2016 Rut Bryk Award Download
21.10.2015 STILL/LIFE Tapio Wirkkala retrospective Download
8.2.2015 Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Centenary 2015-2016 programme Download
16.6.2014 The centenaries of the births of Tapio Wirkkala and Rut Bryk to be celebrated in 2015 and 2016 Download
Photographs for the media
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Tapio Wirkkala & Rut Bryk together. Photo: Sami Wirkkala
Tapio Wirkkala, 1984. Photo: Maaria Wirkkala
Rut Bryk at Arabia factory. Photo: Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation
Tapio Wirkkala drawing simultaneously with both hands. Photo: Matti Ounamo
Tapio Wirkkala, Pollo, Rosenthal GmbH, 1970. Photo: Rosenthal GmbH
Tapio Wirkkala, Chanterelle, Iittala, 1947. Photo: Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation
Tapio Wirkkala, JUHLA glass, 1956. Photo: Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation
Tapio Wirkkala, Century, Rosenthal GmbH, 1979. Photo: Rosenthal GmbH
Rut Bryk, Ice Flow, 1987-1991. Photo Pertti Nisonen
Rut Bryk, tile composition, 1970s. Photo: Niclas Warius
Rut Bryk, Venetian palace: Rialto, 1955. Photo: Pirjo Honkasalo
Tapio Wirkkala, Bolle, Venini, 1966. Photo: Matti Silvennoinen
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk stationery for the centenary. Photo: Timo Junttila
Tapio Wirkkala, exhibition poster from 1985. Photo: Timo Junttila
Tapio Wirkkala, schnapps glasses, Iittala’s production for Tapio Wirkkala centenary. Photo: Iittala
Tapio Wirkkala, bottles, Iittala’s production for Tapio Wirkkala centenary. Photo: Iittala
Tapio Wirkkala, TW003 and K2-140. Photo: Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation
Tapio Wirkkala, Kuksa glass. Photo: Timo Junttila
Tapio Wirkkala, Kuksa glass. Photo: Timo Junttila
Tapio Wirkkala, JUHLA glass. Photo: Timo Junttila
Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) – designer, sculptor and academician
Tapio Wirkkala was a leading figure in modern Finnish applied art, and his glass, ceramic, wood and silver objects charmed international design circles in the 1950s and 1960s, while laying the foundation for the triumphs of Finnish design. A recipient of the honorary title of academician, Tapio Wirkkala’s extensive oeuvre ranged from domestic everyday objects to monumental art and abstract sculpture. Wirkkala worked for several different companies in Finland, but also in Italy, Germany and Mexico. Wirkkala’s works are included in the collections of almost all major international design museums.
Rut Bryk (1916–1999) – graphic designer and ceramic artist
Rut Bryk started her career as a ceramic artist, using visual narrative as her medium, first mainly in everyday objects and later in ceramic tiles. Starting from the 1960s, her work launched out into the world of abstract expression. She created large-scale tile designs for, for example, the Helsinki City Hall, the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, and Mäntyniemi, the official residence of the President of the Republic of Finland. Her talent as a colourist found an outlet in textiles and in the decorations for sets of objects designed by Wirkkala, her husband. Bryk’s work is widely exhibited in the collections of international design museums.