The Sculptor of Ultima Thule presents the work of Tapio Wirkkala – master of form and material – to a Japanese audience for the very first time. Opening on Saturday, 5 April 2025, at Tokyo Station Gallery, this retrospective marks the 110th anniversary of the renowned artist with a comprehensive presentation of 300 works. The exhibition […]
The Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation organizes a two-part symposium in June and October to mark the 20th Anniversary of the foundation. The symposium explores the essence and meaning of form through nine different art forms: music, literature, poetry, dance, painting, sculpture, theater arts, cinema, and architecture.
The exhibition will feature rare archival materials, offering a glimpse into Wirkkala’s creative process and the influences that shaped his visionary designs. The Sculptor of Ultima Thule will showcase a comprehensive collection of Wirkkala’s masterpieces, including rarely exhibited plywood sculptures as well as design objects and prototypes designed by Wirkkala for Iittala, Venini and Rosenthal.
The third Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Award is given to Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates. The award recipient was selected by artist Sasha Huber and architect Samuli Woolston, at the request of the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation.
In 1921, Paolo Venini and Giacomo Cappellin set up a glass factory in Venice, on the island of Murano. This year we celebrate Venini’s centenary.
One hundred years ago, Airam illuminated Finland: this year we celebrate the story of the company founded in December 1921. In the 1950s, Airam begun collaborating with Tapio Wirkkala. Tapio rethought the lamp with the light source so that the bulb itself could be its own, beautiful everyday object. In 1960, the WIR lamp Tapio […]
The exhibition, which opens on May 7th at the Finnish Glass Museum, presents objects from the Finnish triennal departments of the Milan Triennials between 1933-1973.
Tapio Wirkkala’s collaboration with the German porcelain factory Rosenthal began in 1956. Tapio designed a large number of porcelain tableware, objects and cutlery for the company which Tapio worked with for the rest of his life.
Iittala celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. The glass factory that was established in the small village of Iittala in 1881 has developed into a large company with roots tightly intertwined with the foundations of the Finnish design history.
The first Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk prize was awarded in 2016 in honor of the memory of the noted artist/designer couple during the celebration of their centennial year. The award is given out every three years and this year marks the second time the prize is awarded. The ceremony will be held on the birthday of Rut Bryk, October 18, 2019. The award is given in recognition of professional excellence, bold new design thinking, and skilled knowledge of materials and traditional artisanry.