Heljä Liukko-Sundström

Heljä Tuulia Mirjam Liukko-Sundström (June 15, 1938 – May 21, 2024) was a prolific Finnish ceramicist, potter, artist and children's writer. She was recognized as one of Finland's leading ceramic artists of the 20th century. Her work was noted for highlighting playfulness and joy, with many designs featuring rabbits and flowers. Liukko-Sundström's work is considered a hallmark of Scandinavian design. She was recognized for her work with the Arabia company, where she worked for more than 40 years.

Biography Liukko-Sundström grew up in Mynämäki in southwest Finland, near Turku, where she was said to be "timid, serious and quiet". She was fascinated by animals and the forests and meadows of her childhood. Her mother was a teacher and her father was an agriculture scientist. She had a twin brother and two younger sisters, who would also become artists. Her proficiency for art was noticed at an early age. Her Finnish teacher predicted she would become a writer, and her art teacher, Olavi Lanu, believed she would become a visual artist.

At Arabia, she worked alongside noted designers Birger Kaipiainen, Toini Muona and Rut Bryk where she continued to develop as an artist, calling the experience "my university".

She was known for her experimentation and creativity with clay, in using cast off clay and waste cuttings from other works when designing clay tiles or mural pieces.

Working with Iittala, she created a limited edition series of glass postcards (Lasikortti) that made glass gifts affordable and accessible.

Tuuli collection

In 1983, she was asked to design a tableware collection for Arabia's 110th anniversary. The Tuuli (Wind) collection was inspired by Liukko-Sundström's designs for Espoo's Olari church.

Liukko-Sundström was awarded an honorary professorship in 1994 for her contributions to art.

Closing of Arabia, opening of Ateljé Heljä In 2003, Liukko-Sundström established the Arabia Art Department Society, after Arabia closed their art department.

In 2005, she opened Ateljé Heljä ceramic studio in Humppila, Häme. Despite being an early riser, she would often work late into the night on her pieces. She was known for regularly opening her studio to receive guests and foreign visitors. The recognizable studio became a stopping place for visitors to the area, recognizable for its outdoor ceramic mural and seven-meter-high glass wall to provide light for working. Inside Liukko-Sundström grew tropical plants such as bananas and bougainvillea to inspire her art and connect with nature. Humppila Church, located in the village of her studio where examples of Liukko-Sundströmm's work are featured.

Marimekko controversy In 2013, Liukko-Sundström accused Finnish design studio Marimekko of imitation of one of her early designs. "When I saw it online, I was shocked. I felt embarrassed, as if someone had entered my soul without permission. It is an imitation and the aim is to achieve my own style, my own unique feeling. At Arabia, people have always talked about Heljä's style...I have never been the target of something like this before. I don't mind if an amateur painter makes copies of my work, but this is a big business and commercial activity at Marimekko." who subsequently ended a collaboration with a long-standing designer after admitting plagiarism. Marimekko strongly denied plagiarism of Liukko-Sundström's design.

Later years In 2016, Arabia's art factory, opened in 1932 closed. In 2022, when the local church celebrated its centenary, Liukko-Sundström created two ceramic works for the building. Hope, a visual of a baptism with Liukko-Sundström depicted holding the child, and Ukraine, an artwork inspired by the civilian cost of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Liukko-Sundström's works have been exhibited and found in museums across Finland and internationally, in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan and Mexico.

Liukko-Sundström died in Helsinki at age 85 on 21 May 2024.

Publications

1977 – Heljä's Gentle Fairy Tales "Heljän lempeitä satuja", Otava (Japanese 2014, Kissankieli Oy) 1978 – "Mari and the crow", "Mari ja varis" Otava 1981 – "The Rabbit Boy", "Jäniksenpoika", Otava (in Japanese 1983, CMS Sony, and second edition 2011, Kissankieli Oy; in Hungarian 1990) 1984 – "The Computer Prince", "Tietokoneprinssi", Otava 1999 – "High above, the garden of clouds is blue", "Korkealla päällä pilvien puutarha sininen" Otava 2004 – "My Angel", "Oma enkelini", Kirjapaja (in Japanese 2017, Kissankieli Oy) 2005 – "Olli and Dolli", Otava 2006 – "The Clay Poet", "Saven runoilija", Minerva 2008 – "Bring the Brownie", "Toi rusakko", Kirjapaja (in Japanese 2011, Kissankieli Oy) 2012 – "Your Little Angel", "Sinun pikku enkelisi", Kirjapaja 2012 – "Somewhere Always Sun", "Jossain aina aurinko", Kirjapaja