Tapio Wirkkala – Form

Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) was a Finnish artist and designer of exceptional breadth. His work embraced a variety of objects, graphic and industrial design, exhibition architecture, buildings, sculptures, and environmental art. He respected his materials, showing a deep understanding of their character and an immaculate command of technique. Wirkkala drew inspiration from nature and from his travels in wilderness of Lapland in Northern Finland and around the world.

The richly illustrated book examines Tapio Wirkkala’s oeuvre through four recent articles based in part on current research, especially in the field of landscape art. Achitect Juhani Pallasmaa writes about the strong expression of form that can be found throughout Wirkkala´s production. Reiko Imamura remembers her visits to Finland and getting to know Wirkkala’s production through important venues and meetings with Wirkkala’s close family. EMMAs Curator Emma Lilja explores Wirkkala’s plan for President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen´s Memorial on Saivaara fjell, a sacred place for Sami people. Arthistorian Hanna Johansson sees Saivaara as an early example of Finnish environmental art. 
 
This book was published in connection with the exhibition Tapio Wirkkala – Form at EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art (5.10.2022–6.10.2024), curated by architect Juhani Pallasmaa, a close friend of Wirkkala’s.

 EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art Publications 71/2023

Hard cover
Pages 176
Language: English
Editor: Inka Laine
Editorial Team: Ari Karttunen, Emma Lilja, Juhani Pallasmaa, Henna Paunu, Tiina Penttilä, Tinni Torikka, Pernilla Wiik 
Writers: Reiko Imamura, Hanna Johansson, Emma Lilja, Juhani Pallasmaa, Henna Paunu
Translations: Tomi Snellman, Darryl Jingwen Wee, Erik Miller
Graphic Design: Pomeliina Ristimella
Photographs: Ari Karttunen / EMMA, Pirjo Honkasalo, TWRB Foundation, Sami Wirkkala, 
Ella Tommila / EMMA
Print: PunaMusta Oy, Tampere
ISBN 978–952–5509–71–7
ISSN 1796–735X