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Tapio Wirkkala: Still, at The Chrysler Museum (Norfolk)
January 1 - March 15
On View September 5, 2025 — March 15, 2026
After more than seventy years, the everyday objects designed by Tapio Wirkkala (Finnish, 1915–85) are still highly appealing and distinctly modern. Wirkkala first caught the attention of the design world in the 1950s, winning praise for the minimalism and naturalism of his Scandinavian aesthetic. He designed functional items—tableware, jewelry, furniture, and lighting—as well as architecture and art, crafted from a diverse range of materials including glass, wood, metal, ceramic, and plastic.
A gifted and versatile maker, Wirkkala believed “all materials have their own unwritten laws… You should never be violent with a material you’re working on, and the designer should aim at being in harmony with his material.” The fundamental harmony of Wirkkala’s ethos and working process is directly imbued into his creations, lending them a certain quality of stillness.
Wirkkala became an iconic figure of Mid-Century Modern design, a style still revered today for its clean lines, simplicity, functionality, and sincere appreciation for materials. Still highlights Wirkkala’s craftsmanship in glass alongside his works in ceramic, wood, and silver. The exhibition marks the debut of a significant gift to the Chrysler Museum from collector Richard Raisler of California, as well as other recent acquisitions.
