Taru Syrjänen
DESIGNER, GLASS ARTIST, VISUAL ARTIST
Taru Syrjänen started her art studies in 1972. Gradually she devoted herself completely to glass;
a new material to her. She made her first glass designs for the Humppila glass factory in 1981 and the Tarusto glass set was conceived there. A passion to know more about glass took her to study at the West Surrey College of Art and Design in the UK in 1983. The course in Surrey followed the principles of the International Studio Glass Movement, who had elevated glass to be
an appropriate material for fine art. In England Taru created a unique series of cast sculptures as part of her research into the artistic potential of glass.
After returning to Finland, Taru continued her design work, now for Nuutajärvi Glass owned by Wärtsilä, who had acquired the Humppila glass factory In 1985. Few years later, after the merger between Nuutajärvi and Iittala, in 1988, the Iittala glass factory asked Taru to be their designer. Since 1995 Taru has been working in Tampere as an independent artist.
Exhibition themes have given the rhythm for Taru’s career as a glass artist and they have also varied her expression. The exhibitions have shown a series of discoveries demonstrating the potential of glass as an artistic medium. By the means of the glass the tales from different worlds are revealed. Classical shapes and contrasts of shapes, reflect the perception into water (1988), into space (1991), to the mythological past (1998), and recently to natural sciences (2000-).
Taru has consistently developed her vision in art. Maila-Katriina Tuominen has crystallised Taru’s
artistic qualities (newspaper Aamulehti 31.10.1991): “One who is even slightly familiar with the nature of glass understands that the works are result of a long process requiring accurate research and trials .... She lets the lightness of glass and the clarity of form to meet each other. Works are not decorative objects, they are precisely considered sculptures, with the essence of
harmony and a noble understanding of shape”.
The majority of Taru’s glass sculptures are blown by the legendary Nuutajärvi Master Glass Blowers, Unto Suominen, Ossi Kaarineva and Reima Maaronen. The art and design heritage in Nuutajärvi is unique and tangible. The factory was established in 1793 and it is theoldest continuously operating glass factory in Finland.[The factory was closed 2014 and its production was moved to Iittala].
Kaisa Koivisto
Chief Curator
Finnish Glass Museum
Since 1995 I have been working at my own studio in Tampere. There I am exploring, creating and developing my own "handwriting" to the glass. I am using many differet cold-glass techniques on the blown glass surface.Usually my unique works have some kind of contrast or many of them in one piece. Which can be a contrasts between shapes, surfaces, colours and transparent / matted glass. My motives can be whatever from the human life and nature.
WORKS
CURRICULUM VITAE
Taru Syrjänen
Glass Artist / Designer / Visual Artist
born: 31 August 1953
Soraharjunkatu 2, 33270 Tampere, Finland,
Tel. +358 (0)44 3440917
EDUCATION
1983-86
CNAA BA(Hons), West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham,
University of Surrey, England, Three dimensional design / Glass
1981-82
University of Helsinki, Finland, design and product planning for
small and medium-size industries
1979-80
University of Tampere, Finland, History of Art
1972-74
Kankaanpää Art School, Visual Arts, Kankaanpää, Finland
ACTIVITIES
2003 Working visit, Måleros Glassworks, Måleros, Sverige
2002 Working visit, Studio Italo Ballarin, Venice, Italy
1998 Working visit, A.Tzomiianakhe Creta Glass, Creta
1995- Glass Studio Taru Syrjänen, Tampere, Finland
1993 Seminar of Venice and American glassblowing techniques / Taik,
Nuutajärvi, working with Venetsian glassblower Lino Tagliapietra
1991-92 Classical Arts Integration Course, Sibelius-Academy Education Center,
Helsinki, Finland. Finally the field trip to Athens, Greece
1991 Designer, Hacman Iittala Oy Ab, Iittala Glass, Finland
1988-90 Designer, Iittala-Nuutajärvi Oy, Iittala Glass, Finland
1988 Freelance designer, Nuutajärvi Glass of Iittala-Nuutajärvi Oy, Finland
1985-87 Freelance designer, Nuutajärvi Glassworks of Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Finland
1982-84 Freelance product designer, Humppila Glassworks, Finland
1981 Practising product designer, Humppila Glassworks, Finland
1978,79 Teacher on summer courses: Art Happening in Hämeenkyrö /ceramics
1976-80 Teacher, Pirkkala Open Collece for Adults /ceramics
1975-81 Ceramics Studio Satu & Taru Syrjänen, Tampere, Finland
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2015-16 Hiekka Art Museum, Exploration -Unique Glass Works, Tampere, Finland
2013 Studio Gallery, Jubilee Exhibition, Glass 30 Years, Tampere, Finland
2011 Jorma Panula-Foundation, Piiparila, Kirkkonummi, Finland
2011 Willa MAC, Finnish Contemporary Art Museum, Tampere, Finland
2007-08 The Tampere Theatre, Frenckell, Finland
2006 Iittala Art Center, Finland, "On the Way to Mind"
2006 Gallery Saskia, Tampere, Finland
2006 Varkaus Art Museum, Finland, Artist's 25th Anniversary Exhibition
2005 Design Year 2005, invitation Täky-Gallery, Lappeenranta, Finland
2004-05 The Finnish Institute in Madrid, Spain, "Impresiones Nordicas"
2000 Voipaala Art Center, Valkeakoski, Finland
Invitation exhibition, Arts Council of Pirkanmaa
2000 Tampere-house, Tampere, Finland, "Glass Garden"
1999 Museum of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland, "Strata II"
1998 Gallery Räikkälä, Kankaanpää, Finland, invitation exhibition
1998 Museum of Häme, Tampere, Finland, "Strata"
1992 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki Finland, Uniting 3"
1991 Gallery IXIA, Tampere Finland, "Uniting 2"
1990 Iittala Glass Museum, Iittala, Finland, "From an Idea to the Product"
1990 New York Tabletop & Accessories Show, New York, USA
1990 Kankaanpää Art School 25th Anniversary Exhipition, Kankaanpää, Finland
1988 Gallery Verkaranta, Tampere, Finland, "Uniting"
1986-88 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland, WSCAD unique glass collection
GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN FINLAND
2015 Finnish Design- and Artglass, Arts and Craft Center Verkaranta, Tampere
2015 Finnish Glass Lives 7, Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
2014-2015 Finnish Baptismal Font Design Exhibition, 7 another paris: Oulu, Turku,
Pori, Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Lahti, Kuopio, (Seinäjoki 2016)
2014 Pirkanmaa Designs 5, Jewelry / MODUS, Art-Hall TR1, Tampere
2014 Magnificent Ladies from Tampere, Museum Center VAPRIIKKI, Tampere
2013 Design Exhibition of Baptismal Font, Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
2013 Gallery Angelo, Pori, "Trilogy for Light"
2011 The main library METSO, Tampere, Mansedesign /MODUS
2011 Urkin Piilopirtti, Pinsiön Majat Oy, Pinsiö
2010 Art Center PURNU, Orivesi, "The Sleep of the Bird"
2010 Finnish Design- and Artglass, Arts and Craft Center Verkaranta, Tampere
2010 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, "Finnish Glass Lives 6"
2009 Art-hall TR1, Tampere, MODUS, Pirkanmaa Designs 3"
2008 SuviDesign, Purnu, Orivesi
2008-2012 Art-Nuuttila summer exhibitions, Virrat
2007 "AMERICA!" The National Art Competition, Art Center Ihana, Heinola
2007 Art-hall TR1, Tampere, MODUS, "Pirkanmaa Designs 2"
2006 Gallery Broms, Helsinki, Finland, "le Trialogue"
2006 Pirkanmaa III Triennial, Art-hall TR1, Finlayson, Tampere
2006 Villa Keisarinharju, Kangasala, "Harmony"
2005 Mäntyharjun Marmorisali, Mäntyharju, Finland
2005 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, "Finnish Glass Lives 5"
2005 Art-hall TR1, Finlayson, Tampere, MODUS, "Pirkanmaa designs 1"
2004,05,011 Villa Keisarinharju, Kangasala, "Arte & Psyke"
2003-04 Museum Centre Vapriikki, Tampere, "Material & Message"
2003 The National Museum of Finland, Helsinki, Taiko 20th Anniversary exhibition
2001 Museum of Lohja, "Glass lives" / Finnish Glass Museum
2001 Gallery Villa Jankovsky, Kajaani
2000 Haihara Art Center, Tampere, Voipaala Art Center,Valkeakoski
2000 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland, "Finnish Glass Lives 4"
1998 Haihara Art Center, Tampere, "Mode -98"
1998 Design Forum, Helsinki, "Finnish Design 10"
1995 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, "Finnish Glass Lives 3"
1994 Hvitcat Gallery, Hvitträsk
1993 Nuutajärvi glass factory gallery, "Glass Session"
1992 Nuutajärvi glass factory gallery, "Glass Session"
1991 Iittala glass factory summer exhibition, "Glass Fantasy"
1991 Nuutajärvi glass factory gallery
1990 Old Library House Gallery, Tampere
1990 Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, "Finnish Design 1990"
1990 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, "Finnish Glass Lives 2"
1990 Arabia-Esplanadi Gallery, Helsinki, "Glass Visit"
1989 Glass Fantasy, Iittala
1986 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, "Finnish Glass Lives 1"
1979 Museum of Modern Art, Tampere
1978 Hämeenkyrö Art Happening
1976 Museum of Modern Art, Tampere
1974 Art Museum, Tampere, 41st Year Exhibition of the Tampere Artists Association
GROUP EXHIBITIONS WORLDWIDE
2010 The Vevring Exhibition 2010, the Nordic countries, Vevring, Norway
2009 Finnish Glass Art 2000-2005 / Finnish Glass Museum:
State Gallery, Banska Bystica, Slovaky
2008 Glascetrum Gernheim, Germany
The Museum of Applied Arts in Latvia, Riika
2007 Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Istanbul, Turkey
The National Museum of Wroclaw, Poland
2006-07 Stichting National Glassmuseum, Leerdam, the Netherlands
2006 Musée du verre Carmaux, France
Conseil Général de Meurthe et Moselle, Nancy, France
2005 Steninge Palace Cultural Centre, Märsta, Sweden,
"Steninge World Exhibition of Art Glass 2005"
2004 Gallery Sala Barna, Barcelona, Spain, "Transparent Minds" -glass installation
2001-04 "Finandia - Vanguardia en Vidrio", organised by the Finnish Glass Museum
"Fazination glas - Tendenzen in der Finnischen glasskunst":
2004 Galerie Brigitte Kurzendörfer Schloss Glassmuseum, Pilsach, Germany
Glasmuseum Gernheim, Petershagen, Germany
2003-04 Stadsmuseum Schleswig, Schleswig, Germany
2003 Felleshuis Galleri, Berlin, Germany
2003 Museo de Historia Mexicana, Monterrey, Mexico
2002-03 Franz Mayer Museum, México, Mexico
2002 Museo do Vidro, Marinha Grande, Portugal
2001 Museo de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain
2001 Fundacion Centro Nacional del Vidrio, La Granja, Spain
2003 The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest, Hungary: "Material & Message",
2002-03 "Steninge World Exhibition of Art Glass 2002":
Steninge Palace Cultural Centre, Märsta, Sweden; Hadeland Glassverk, Norway
2000-02 Nordic Glass 2000:
2002 Fossakleiberg, Norway
2001-02 M.K. Ciurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania
2001 Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
2000 "Den Nordatlantiske Brygge", Copenhagen, Denmark
1998 "Forsiktig Glass! - Selected Nordic Glass Art", Hå Gamle Prestegard, Norway
1991-94 Vidrio Finlandes Contemporaneo / Contemporary Finish Glass,
organized by Museum of Art and Design Finland:
1994 Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Lisbon, Portugal
1993 Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis, Porto, Portugal, Rabat, Morocco
1991-92 Fundación Centro Nacional del Vidrio, La Granja, Secovia,
Cenre Permanent d’Artesania, Barcelona,
de la Generalitat de Catalonya, Barcelona, Spain
1991-93 "Art of Glass and Tapestry", organized by Museum of Art and Design Finland
1993 Santiago de Chile, Chile
1992 Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, Argentine
1991 Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, Brazil
1992 Neues Glas in Finland / New Glass in Finland, organized by Finnish Glass Museum
Nürberg, München, Germany; Graz, Austria; Solothurn, Switzerland
1989 NK-Gallery, Made in Tavastland, Stockholm, Sweden
1987-88 "Finnish Glass", organized by Finnish Glass Museum
Museum of Applied Arts, Tallinn; Museum of Art and Design, Moscow,
Hermitage Art Museum, Leningrad
1987,88- Frankfurt International Fair, Germany
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONS
2002-2012 Unigue glass gifts for state visit of the President
1991 The Museum of Modern Art New York, "Purje" vase-series in sales collection
1990 The International Design Yearbook 1990/91, England, the work "Kesä"
COLLECTIONS AND PUBLIC SPACES
Nursing Sphere of Pirkanmaa / Raimo Anttila Foundation
Willa Mac, The Museum of Finnish Contemporary Art, Tampere
Ev.Lut.Congregation, Tampere, Finland
State of Finland Art Collections
Finnish Institute in Madrid, Spain
The Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, Hungary
Finnish Foreign Ministry
Museum of Applied Arts / Finnish Designmuseum, Helsinki, Finland
Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
City of Tampere, Finland
Museum of Modern Art, Tampere, Finland
Private collections in Finland and abroad
MEMBERSHIPS
2013- Tampere Artists´ Association, Finland
2012- Entrepreneur Women of Tampere, Finland
2006- Artist O / Finnish Association of Designers ORNAMO, Helsinki, Finland
2001- MODUS, Pirkanmaa Association of Art and Design, Finland
1986-2007 ORNAMO/TAIKO, Finnish Association of Designers, Helsinki, Finland
1975-2001 INTERI, Association of Art & Design, Tampere, Finland
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2015 Finnish Cultural Foundation, Pirkanmaa Regional fund
2014 Arts Promotion Centre, Helsinki, Finland
2013 City of Tampere, Finland
2012 Arts Council of Pirkanmaa, Finland
2008 City of Tampere, Finland
2007 National Council for Design, Helsinki, Finland
2006 Finnish Cultural Foundation Central Fund
2005 Oskar Oflund Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
2004 Arts Council of Pirkanmaa, Finland
2003 National Council for Design, Helsinki, Finland
2002 City of Tampere, Finland
2001 National Council for Design, Helsinki, Finland
2000,99 Oskar Oflund Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
1999 Board for Compensation Grants to Visual Artists, Helsinki
1997 City of Tampere, Finland
1997,99 National Council for Crafts and Design, Helsinki, Finland
1994 County of Häme, Commission for Art, Finland
1992 Arabia Cultural Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
1990 Finnish Cultural Foundation, Häme Regional fund
1987,91,93 Central Art Council, Helsinki, Finland
1985 Nuutajävi Glassworks / Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Finland
1983,88 City of Tampere, Finland
1980,83 County of Häme, Finland
1979 Finnish Cultural Foundation, Pirkanmaa Regional fund
1978,79 City of Tampere, Finland
TRAVEL-SUPPORTS
2005 Art Council of Finland, Madrid
2003 Arts Council of Pirkanmaa, Budapest
