Anu Pentik

Eeva Anneli ("Anu") Pentikäinen ( Pasi; born 3 August 1942), better known professionally as Anu Pentik, is a Finnish designer and ceramicist.

Early life and education Pentik's mother died when she was only six, after which she had to assume responsibility for running the household.

Pentik is largely self-taught; pottery-making and leather craft started as her hobbies, before she decided to try her hand at them professionally. The first products were sold at the village petrol station. The company is known for its focus on employee well-being, work-life-balance, and flexible work time arrangements.

Exhibitions (selected) In 1993, Pentik co-exhibited alongside her fellow industrial designers Kaija Aarikka and Vuokko Nurmesniemi, in an exhibition titled "Kolme naista, kolme elämäntyötä" ( "Three women, three lifeworks") in Ikaalinen.

In 2006, she held her 35-year-retrospective exhibition "Intohimona keramiikka" ( "Ceramics as passion") at the Retretti art museum in Punkaharju.

In 2017, Pentik's two-month solo exhibition "Three Rooms" in Kunsthalle Helsinki formed part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of Finland's independence.

In 2020, she held a 50-year-retrospective solo exhibition at the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art in Turku.

In 2021, Pentik received the Finnish State Prize for Design in recognition of her 50-year-career.