The Kaj Franck Design Prize 1996
Glass artist and designer Kerttu Nurminen
Kerttu Nurminen (born 1943) has been with the Nuutajärvi glassworks since 1972, where she commendably continues the factory's series of Finnish glass artists and designers. Originally trained as a ceramist at the Institute of Applied Art (present-day University of Art and Design Helsinki), Nurminen is especially known for her unique, one-off works in the demanding filigree, cased glass and graal techniques.
The Mondo collection of glassware is perhaps the best-known example of Nurminen's versatile oeuvre in glass, including both one-off items and manufactured products. The technically demanding shift of colour in the stem of the well-known Mondo glass was achieved through the joint idea of the designer and the glassblower to use a large flame to make the colour gradually descend into the stem. The Verna tableware service designed by her has proven to be a popular item in recent sales lists.
In her characteristic fashion, the designer finds inspiration in nature. This was the case for example with the Peace dish of the Pro Arte collection of 2000 and her most recent work, the Lago vase.
One-off works by Kerttu Nurminen in various techniques have been on show in numerous solo and joint exhibitions in Finland and abroad. In Venice, for example, Nurminen has participated in the Aperto Vetro joint exhibition and has also held a solo showing. Works by her are included in the collections of several Finnish and foreign museums. Nurminen received the State Design Prize in 1991, and her works were on show at the Finnish Design 125 Years exhibition at Design Forum in 2000.
