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Kaija Aarikka
Finnish designer and entrepreneur (1929-2014) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kaija Helena Aarikka-Ruokonen (3 February 1929 – 14 August 2014) was a Finnish designer and entrepreneur.[1][2][3][4]
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Early life and education
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
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]
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Awards and honours
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
In 1954, Aarikka married businessman Erkki Ruokonen; the couple had three daughters.[1]
Her favourite pastimes included theatre, literature, and outdoor pursuits.[1]
Notes
References
External links
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