Kiurujen yö wallpaper, red - black

Birger Kaipiainen (1915–1988) was one of the most distinctive figures in Finnish ceramic art and design. After graduating from the Central School of Industrial Arts, he was invited to join the art department of the Arabia factory, where he worked for over five decades.

Kaipiainen is best known for his decorative, poetic and boldly expressive ceramic works – the gifted artist was often referred to as the king of decorators and the prince of ceramics.

Birger Kaipiainen: The king of decorators

Finnish ceramic artist Birger Kaipiainen studied at the Central School of Industrial Arts and began his career in the art department of Arabia in the late 1930s. At a time when Finnish design leaned towards stripped-down functionalism, Kaipiainen boldly followed his own path. His expressive style drew inspiration from fairy tales, nature and richly ornamental detail.

Kaipiainen is best known for his ceramic platters, tiles and decorative objects, though his work also included functional pieces. His creations are characterised by abundant compositions, relief surfaces, beads and repeating ornamental motifs.

Raised by Arabia

A career spanning more than 50 years at Arabia’s art department gave Kaipiainen the freedom to experiment and refine his unique voice. In the late 1960s, he designed the now-iconic Paratiisi tableware collection for Arabia. In the following decade, the surface of the series was also adorned with the lush Apila pattern, originally created as a second-quality decoration.

Kaipiainen also worked as an artist for Rörstrand in Sweden between 1954 and 1958. In 1957, he created the beloved wallpaper Kiurujen yö for Pihlgren & Ritola.

An ambassador of design

Kaipiainen served as an ambassador of Finnish decorative arts abroad as well. He was awarded the Grand Prix both at the Milan Triennale in 1960 and at the Montreal World Expo seven years later. For Milan, he designed Finland’s exhibition pavilion along with a series of birds crafted from ceramic beads. The monumental Orvokkimeri (Sea of Violets) wall relief created for Montreal now resides in the Tampere City Council chamber.

Kaipiainen was granted the honorary title of professor in 1977 and an artist’s pension four years later. Despite this, he continued working at the Arabia factory almost daily. Birger Kaipiainen passed away at the age of 73, quite literally at his work.

Who: Birger Kaipiainen

• Finnish ceramic artist and designer (1915–1988).
• Worked extensively in Arabia’s art department, where he developed his distinctive style.
• Style: richly decorative, featuring relief surfaces and motifs of fruits, flowers and fantastical figures.
• Known for: Paratiisi and Sunnuntai tableware (Arabia), Kiurujen yö wallpaper (Pihlgren & Ritola)

Read more on Design Stories

• In the spotlight: Arabia’s Paratiisi and Sunnuntai tableware >