Kaija Helena Aarikka-Ruokonen (3 February 1929 – 14 August 2014) was a Finnish designer and entrepreneur.[1][2][3][4]
Kauppaneuvos Kaija Aarikka | |
|---|---|
 Kaija-Aarikka in 1949 | |
| Born | 3 February 1929 Somero, Finland |
| Died | 14 August 2014 (aged 85) Helsinki, Finland |
| Alma mater | Taideteollinen Oppilaitos |
| Known for | Wood objects |
| Spouse |
Erkki Ruokonen
(m. 1954, died) |
| Awards | Pro Finlandia (1994) |
Early life and education edit
Kaija Aarikka was born in Somero to a farming family; her parents were Väinö Aarikka and Alma Maria née Kares.[1]
She completed lower secondary school[a] in 1945, and later studied textile arts and design at the Taideteollinen Oppilaitos school of design (now part of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture), graduating in 1954.[1]
Career edit
In 1954, Aarikka and her husband co-founded the eponymous design bureau Aarikka, initially to design and manufacture wooden buttons[5][6] and decorative and household items, later expanding into personal accessories, dress jewellery and giftware.[2][1][3][5] She worked there as the firm's head designer and artistic director for most of her career, also taking on management duties including chairing the Board of Directors from 1977.[1]
The first Aarikka store opened in 1960, and by the 1980s there were 20.[7]
Aarikka is best known for her simplistic wooden designs, often in characteristic round shapes.[3] One of her most iconic creations is the wooden Pässi ('Ram') sculpture.[8]
From the early 1970s onwards, she also provided freelance design services for Humppila and Ahlstrom glassworks (both now part of Iittala) as well as for Tampella textiles.[1][3][5] One of Aarikka's glass designs for Humppila is in the British Museum collections.[7]
Awards and honours edit
In 1994, Aarikka received the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[9][8]
In 1999, to mark her 70th birthday, the honorary title of Kauppaneuvos was bestowed on Aarikka.[2]
Personal life edit
In 1954, Aarikka married businessman Erkki Ruokonen; the couple had three daughters.[1]
Her favourite pastimes included theatre, literature, and outdoor pursuits.[1]
Notes edit
- ^ Keskikoulu, in the Finnish school system before the 1970s restructuring.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kuka Kukin On (Who's Who) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. 1978. p. 17. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Aarikka-Ruokonen, Kaija". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Aarikka, Kaija (1929-2014)". Kansallisbiografia.fi (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Muotoilija Kaija Aarikka on kuollut". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 16 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Muotoilija Kaija Aarikka on kuollut" (in Finnish). Yle. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Burroughs, Katrina (3 September 2017). "Why Finnish design deserves our attention, plus Helsinki Design Week highlights". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Kaija Aarikka". BritishMuseum.org. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Aarikan perustaja Kaija Aarikka on kuollut" (in Finnish). MTV Uutiset. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ "SUOMEN LEIJONAN PRO FINLANDIA -MITALIN SAAJAT 1945-2020". Ritarikunnat.fi (in Finnish). The Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
External links edit
- Aarikka Museum, with history of the company and the designer
