Glass sculpture, 2019, Annual cube, Oiva Toikka, Iittala

Oiva Kalervo Toikka (1931–2019). One of the most imaginative figures in Finnish design, Oiva Toikka transformed glass into a world of colour, movement and storytelling. After graduating in ceramics from the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki in 1956, he began his career at Arabia before joining Nuutajärvi Glassworks in 1963, where he spent the rest of his distinguished career. Refusing to follow strict functionalism, Toikka embraced experimentation, creating both innovative everyday glassware and extraordinary art glass. His iconic Kastehelmi, Flora, Pioni and Krouvi collections became enduring design classics, while his legendary Birds by Toikka series, launched in 1972, grew into more than 400 individually handcrafted birds, each mouth-blown and unique. Beyond glass, Toikka also designed textiles, stage sets and costumes, bringing the same playful imagination to every medium. Honoured with the Pro Finlandia Medal, the Kaj Franck Design Prize and the Prince Eugen Medal, he remains one of Finland's most influential designers, admired worldwide for his boundless creativity, technical mastery and unmistakable artistic vision.

(Photo source: Kalevi Pöyhönen)