Paikkari in his studio, Helsinki
Pekka Paikkari (Finnish, b. 1960) is a Helsinki-based ceramic artist renowned primarily for his large-scale wall sculptures, unique objects and versatile utility ware, and monumental public installations. Using clay as his primary material, Pekkari’s works blur the lines between fine art, design, and traditional craft. His expert use of the medium provides enigmatic imagery creating an analogy for both the human condition–displaying great strength and fragility in equal measure–as well as the passing of time registering as either permanent and ever-evolving, or ephemeral. Paikkari has made a thorough study of the technical properties of clay and employs it in evocative ways. For instance, he developed a unique technique for drying clay. Although the web-like, fractured surface of dried clay is the outcome of a natural process, the artist controls it in order to obtain the desired pattern. Only then are the clay elements fired in the kiln. The process could be described as controlled chaos.
Paikkari studied at the Kuopio Academy of Handicrafts and Industrial Design and has been a member of the Arabia Art Department Society since 1983. His work is included in many prestigious museum collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Ceramics Museum of Barcelona, and the Shigaraki Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art in Japan, among others.
PEKKA PAIKKARI
Born 1960, Somero, Finland
EDUCATION
2000-03
Cultural Production and Management Degree, Humanities Polytechnic, Turku, Finland
1978-83
Design Academy, Kuopio, Finland
1977-78
Orivesi institute, Finland
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
Ymmärretty / Surroundings, Hostler Burrows, New York, NY
2015
ArtTag Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
Lost and Found, Gallery Sculptor, Helsinki, Finland
2008
Points of Fracture, Gallery Be19, Helsinki, Finland
2007
Attempting to go over the Mountains, Gallery Katariina, Helsinki, Finland
2006
The Neverending, ArsNova & AboaVetus, Museum of Contemporary Art, Turku, Finland
2005
Lost Dialogue, Artborg 35, Sipoo, Finland
2004
I remember, Sculptures, Arabia Ceramic Factory Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Cataracta, Aralis Library Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2003
The Stage, Ceramic Sculptures, Lume-centre, Helsinki, Finland
2002
Konturen in Zeit und Raum, Rastatt, Germany (together with Mrs. Kaarina Kaikkonen)
2001
Brick Makers House, Hå Gamle Prestegård, Stavanger, Norway
Keramikk, Kunstnersenter, Stavanger, Norway
Monumentalles und Serielles, Hetjens Museum, Dusseldorf, Germany
1999
Bottles, Ceramic Sculptures, Nordiska Kristall, Stockholm, Sweden
1999
Brick Makers House, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1995
Light & Shadow, ceramic sculptures, Arabia Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Light & Shadow, ceramic design, Design Forum, Helsinki, Finland
1994
Gallery Bremer, Karkkila, Finland (together with Mr. Jukka Vikberg)
1992
Ceramics, Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (together with Mr. Sang-Ho Jeon)
Karborundum, Arabia Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1989
Gallery Pinotheca, Jyväskylä, Finland
1988
Ceramics, Gallery Bronda, Helsinki, Finland
1985
Varjostuksia, Arabia-Nuutajärvi Shop, Helsinki, Finland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Aether, Kunstcentret Silkeborg Bad, Silkeborg
Paratiisi (Paradise), Kuopio Art Museum, Kuopio, Finland
FireFest, Starworks, Star, NC
Arabia now, Galerie Le don Du Fel, Le Fel, France
Interpretations of Soil, Koppe Gallery, Bornholm, Denmark
Process, Iittala Arabia Design Centre, Helsinki, Finland
Tree of Life, Gallery GAo ShAn, Helsinki, Finland
2023
Northern Latitude 60.20890: The Arabia Art Department Society’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Iittala & Arabia Design Centre, Helsinki, Finland
2020
FOG Design + Art, Hostler Burrows, San Francisco, CA
2019
Arabia Art Department in Tampere, Finlayson Art Area, Finland
Sasama, ICAF, Japan
Finnish Aalto, Busan Art Museum, South Korea
Secret of the Paradise, Iittala Arabia Design Centre, Finland
Design Miami / Basel, Hostler Burrows, Basel, Switzerland
Etats de Matiere, Gallery Le Don du Fel, France
Perspectives, Iittala Arabia Design Centre, Finland
TEFAF New York Spring, Hostler Burrows, New York, NY
reCLAYmed, Berg Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden
2018
Ceramics Now: The Faenza Prize is 80 years old, Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza, Italy
Design Miami / Basel, Hostler Burrows, Basel, Switzerland
FOG Design + Art, Hostler Burrows, San Francisco, CA
2017
Design Miami, Hostler Burrows, Miami, FL
New Ceramic Artists, Hostler Burrows, New York, NY
2015
Suomen lasi elää, Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
9SEASONS, Embassy of Finland, Washington D.C
2014
Helsinki Fat Clay, Gallery Arabia, Designmuseum, Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki Fat Clay, Gallery Marianne Heller Heidelberg, Germany
Keramiikan tila, Designmuseum, Helsinki, Finland
Rajapinnat, Kuparipaja, Fiskars, Finland
2013
Pihatontut joulutorilla, Design Museum, Arabia, Finland
Kattaillen, Design Forum, Helsinki, Finland
VALEUR REFUGE, Sevres Ceramic Museum, France
International Biennale of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy
Juhlat, Nuutajärvi, Finland
Gumbostrand, Summer exhibition, Sipoo
International Ceramic Biennale, Manises, Spain
2012
Arabia Art Department, Design Museum, Arabia, Finland
Puusoi!, ProPuu gallery, Lahti
VALEUR REFUGE, Foundation Bernardaud, Limoges, France
Metamofose, Lahti Art Museum, Finland
Helsinki Fat Clay, Faenza Ceramic Museum, Italy
Helsinki Fat Clay, Officiale Saffi Gallery, Milan, Italy
ArtHelsinki, Helsinki
2011
Finland in Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Korea
ArtHelsinki, Helsinki
Fire&Ice, Gallery Marianne Heller, Germany
Fire&Ice, Ceramic Museum,Westerwald, Germany
ArtHelsinki, Helsinki
2009
Art by Design, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki, Finland
Arabia 135, Jyväskylä, Finland
Arabia Art Department, Grimmerhus Ceramic Museum, Danmark
Summer Exhibition, Villa Roosa, Orimattila, Finland
Hard Rocks, Sculptures in South Harbour, Helsinki, Finland
Ceramics from Finland, Galerie Besson, England
Marl Hole, Airspace Gallery, Staffordshire, England
ArtHelsinki2008, Helsinki
SOFA, Chicago, Gallery Norsu
2008
Jeespoks, ProPuu Gallery, Lahti, Finland
Everyday Life, Gallery Norsu, Helsinki, Finland
Tulessa syntynyt, Fiskars, Finland
Keramiikan kevät, Galerie Oljemark, Helsinki, Finland
Rantagalleria, Lahti, Finland
Everyday Life, Gallery Artisin, Jyväskylä, Finland
Arabia 135, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
OTTO, Vantaa Art Museum, Finland
Palm Peach, Florida, Galerie Besson
Collect, London, Gallery Norsu
ArtHelsinki2008, Helsinki
2007
27th International Ceramic Exhibition of l’Alcora, Spain
Summer Exhibition, Galerie Besson, London, England
International Ceramic Biennale, Manises, Spain
SOFA, Chicago, Galerie Besson
2006
Six Rooms, Art Factory, Porvoo, Finland
European Ceramic Context, Bornholm, Danmark
ClayInDusTry, Guldagergaar, Danmark
Places of Arrival and Departure, The Regional Exhibition of Greater Helsinki, Finland
SET, ForumBox, Helsinki, Finland
2005
The Arabia Ceramic Factorys Artist`s, The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan
Strata: New Perspectives on Ceramics from Scandinavia and The United States, Skulpturens hus, Sweden
ArtSibbe, Sipoo, Finland
Ronnebaeksholm Kunst- og Kulturcenter, Naestved, Danmar
2004
Ceramics 2004, Fiskars, Finland
Street Gallery 2004, Huittinen, Finland
In Praise of Silence, Lappeenranta Art Museum, Finland
2003
Pro Arabia Art Finland, Form and Design Center, Malmö, Sweden
Finchin perilliset, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Retro, Fiskars, Finland
The shape between continuity and innovation, Faenza, Italy
Keramiek, Kunsthuis Ingrith Desmet, Belgium
Pisaroita, Karkkila, Finland
Sculptural thoughts, Finnish-Norway Culture Institute, Oslo, Norway (OICS2003)
HEHKU, Kankaanpää, Finland, Outdoor Fire Sculpture Project
ArtSibbe, Sipoo, Finland
2002
National Museum of Decorative Arts, Trondheim, Norway
Alumni, Art Museum, Kuopio, Finland
FinnDesign now, Design Forum, Helsinki
Pro Arabia Art Finland, Arabia Museum, Helsinki, Finland
IAC, member exhibition, Greece
2001
Biennale de Ceramique contemporaire de Chateauroux, France
WOCEK, International Ceramic Design Exhibition (ICD), Korea
IAC, member exhibition, Korea
Metallit 2001, Fiskars, Finland
Six ceramists from Finland, Gallery Mokkumto, Seoul, Korea
2000
Arabia Artists at Retretti, Retretti Art Centre, Punkaharju, Finland
Six Ceramists from Finland, Höganäs Museum, Sweden
Nordic Ceramics, Assens, Danmark
Suomen lasi elää 4, Finnish glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
ArtSibbe, Sipoo, Finland
Uusinta / Paper Art Gallery 10 years, Kuusankoski, Finland
1999
Arabia 125 years, Ambiente 1999, Frankfurt, Germany
The Nordic Transparency, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
International ceramic biennale, Manises, Spain
1998
Kalmar 600 years, Outdoor workshop & exhibition, Sweden
Quatre ceramistes finlandesos, Ceramic Museum, Barcelona, Spain
Shigaraki Ceramic Museum, Japan
Savesta syntynyt, exhibition of contemporary ceramics, Fiskars, Finland
Finnish Design 10 - The Turn of the Millennium, Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland
Nature as Object, Craft and Design triennale, Perth, Western Australia
Light and Shadow, Special exhibition, Mino ceramic triennale, Tajimi, Japan
Mino Ceramic Competition, Tajimi, Japan
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS, CONT.
1997
International Biennale of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy
Ceramic exhibition, Manises, Spain
1996
Ceramics, Voipaala Art Centre, Finland
Arabia Pro Arte Collection, Helsinki, Tampere, Finland
Ett Keramisk Univers, Silkeborg, Denmark
Luovat kädet, Art Museum, Kerava, Finland
1995
Junge kunstzene Finnland, Hetjens Museum, Dusseldorf,
Landesgewerbeamt, Karlsruhe, Germany
Tammisaari Art Museum, Finland
1994
Ceramica Finlandesa, Cidem, Barcelona, Spain
Gallery Uta Goppelsröder, Bretten, Germany
Center of Culture Palatin, Wiesloch, Germany
1993
Group Six, Gallery Maronie, Kioto, Japan
Group Six, Gallery SAM, Seoul, Korea
Group Six, Tiilityksiä, Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland
Ceramics, Pohjola-Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (With Kati Tuominen-Niittylä)
Materia, Art hall, Helsinki, Finland
BOX, Design Forum, Helsinki, Finland
K-93, Lappeenranta Art Museum, Finland
International Biennale of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy
Biennal of Small Ceramics, Zagbrek
Group Six, Ceramics, Caracas, Venezuela
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1992
Gallery Bremer, Karkkila, Finland
Group Six, Båstad, Sweden
Finlandida, Stocholm, Sweden, Helsinki Finland
1991
International Triennale of ceramics, Sopot, Poland
KerTa, Lappeenranta Art Museum, Kuopio art Museum, Finland
Group Six, Park Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1990
East meets North, Posio, Finland
IRIS- Ceramic exhibition, Porvoo, Finland
Arabia Pro Arte collection and exhibition Helsinki, Finland
International biennal of ceramics Faenza, Italy
1989-90
Actualite de la Ceramique Europeenne, France
Scandinavian Ceramics and Glass, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England
1989
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1988
Jugend Gestaltet Munich, Germany
11th International Biennal of Ceramic arts, Vallauris, France
1987
Exhibition of young artists, Art Hall, Helsinki, Finland
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1987-88
Triennale, Zeitgenössisches deutsches und finnisches Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt and Hannover, Germany, Helsinki, Finland
1985
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1984
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
1983
Finnish Design, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2018
”Experiments and Explorations Rule This Year’s FOG Design + Art,” Blouin ArtInfo, January 11
”Hostler Burrows at Design Miami / Basel,” Blouin ArtInfo, June 13
2017
”New Ceramic Artists,” Wall Street International, November 7
2016
Heeney, Gwen, ed. The Post-Industrial Landscape as Site for Creative Practice: Material Memory. Cambridge Scholars Publishing
2014
Neiminen, Heli. ”Restaurant Kaskis Combines Art and Food,” TS Ruoka, October 1
2006
”Pekka Paikkari: The Never-Ending,” exhibition catalog, Turku
1992
Laiho, Timo. ”Pekka Paikkari – Karborundum,” Suomi
PUBLIC SCULPTURES
2017
Jokihelmi (Pearls and Cracks), Penttilänranta, Joensuu
2015
Rantakivet, (Stones and Currents), Penttilänranta, Joensuu
2014
Layers of the History, Lampa house, Helsinki
2013
Joet, (Rivers) Penttilänranta, Joensuu
2011
IGLU, Turku, Finland
2010-16
Turvapaikka, Sipoo, Finland
2009
Pienet purot suuret joet, Sipoo, Finland
2006
CATARACTA, Facade of the Senior House, Helsinki, Finland (Architect: Kirsti Siven)
2005
Gekko, Helsinki / Kamppi bus terminal (Tuominen-Niittylä, Riska, Paikkari)
Fragments, the School of Sakarinmäki, Helsinki, Finland
2003
The Kiln, Kankaanpää, Finland
1998
Molds, Leppävirta, Finland
EXPERIENCE
2016-17
Ornamo, Member of Board
2015-17
Taike, Art Council
2015-16
Art Council South Finland
2008-15
Ornamo Foundation, President of Board
2007-10
Ornamo, Member of Board
2001-04
Teaching, UIAH, University of Art & Design, Helsinki, Ceramic & Glass Department
1985-Present
Artist/Designer, Iittala, Arabia Ceramic Factory
1983
Assistant, Arabia Ceramic Factory
MEMBERSHIPS
Association of Finnish Sculptors
IAC, International Academy of Ceramics
Artists of Sipoo
GRANTS AND AWARDS
2014-18
5-year grant by the Finnish State
2009
I-Prize, Environmental Art Competition, Sipoo, Finland (Together with Mari Paikkari)
2008
Honourable mention / Art Competition for the Hospital of Porvoo, Finland (Together with Sirkka Paikkari)
3-year grant by the Finnish State
2007
L’Alcalatén prize in the 27th International Competition of l’Alcora, Spain
I-Prize (Ex-Aeguo), International Ceramic Biennale, Manises, Spain
Invite Artist, Shui-Li Snake kiln, Large Scale Ceramic Sculpture Workshop, Taiwan
2004-06
3-year grant by Finnish Culture Foundation
2005
Invite Artist, International Ceramic Centre, Guldagergaard, Danmark
2003
Grant for exhibition Näyttämö by Finnish state
2002
Grand by Finnish State
2001
Grant, Finnish-Norway Foundation
Grant, Frame
Grant, Finnish Cultural Foundation
2000
Grant for kiln-project by Finnish state
1999
Grant, Finnish Culture Foundation
1998
1-year grant by the Finnish State
1997
Invite Artist, the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan
Grant, Ornamo, Finland
Grant for exhibition, Finnish State
1993
International Biennial of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy, (Fondatzione Cassa di Risparmio di Ravenna)
Grant from G&W Lehtinen Foundation
1992
Grant by the Finnish State (for publication, “Karborundum”)
1991
1-year Grant by the Finnish State
1989
III-Prize on Art Competition of Helsinki House of justice
COLLECTIONS
The British Museum, London, England
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England
Faenza Museum of Ceramics, Italy
Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan
Ceramic Museum, Barcelona, Spain
Höganäs Ceramic Museum, Sweden
Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Ceramic Museum, Japan
Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Arabia Ceramic Museum, Helsinki, Finland
Joensuu Art Museum, Finland
Tammisaari Art Museum, Tammisaari, Finland
Pohjola Insurance Company Collection, Helsinki, Finland
IRIS Collection, City of Porvoo, Finland
Handelsbanken, Sweden
City of Leppävirta, Finland
City of Karkkila, Finland
Ceramic Museum l’Alcora, Spain
Ceramic Museum, Manises, Spain
Art Collections of Finnish State
Wäinö Aaltosen museo, Turku
