Oiva Toikka

The Finnish designer Oiva Kalervo Toikka was born in Wiborg on May 29, 1931 and is one of the most important Finnish glass artists of the 20th century. After training as a ceramist, he worked from 1956 to 1959 in the creative department of the ceramic manufacturer Arabia, where he began to create sculptures of animals and humans. In 1963, he became chief designer of the Nuutajärvi glass works, in which context he created glass sculptures and art glass objects, often intended for serial production. Oiva Toikka is also famous for his glass bird collection for the Finnish manufacturer Iittala. In recent years, Toikka has also made a name for himself with the furniture manufacturer Magis, for whom he designed the Dodo rocking bird and the colourful Paradise Tree children's coat rack. In addition, the highly versatile Oiva Toikka is a draughtsman, costume designer, and fabric designer.