May 2025
Päivi Kekäläinen, b. 1961, is a glass artist and graphic designer working with various assignments in the art and design field. She lives and works both in Helsinki and Eastern Finland. As an independent glass artist, she is primarily known for her pâte de verre work, which has been exhibited widely nationally and internationally. Her works can be found in many publications as well as in private and public collections. Kekäläinen is a member of the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo and the Helsinki Artists’ Association.
Her current work includes the lasikompassi.fi website (in Finnish), which offers an introduction to glass material and kiln-forming techniques.
Education
1984–1991 MA with honours, University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH). (Current Aalto University) Finland.
Department of Industrial Design (major), Dept. of Ceramics and Glass (minor),
1981–1984 Handicrafts and Industrial Arts School, Joensuu; Cabinetmaker
Additional education / Glass workshops
2005 Aug Bullseye Masterclass on kilnforming / Klaus Moje, North Lands Creative Glass, Scotland.
1991 May Pâte de verre and glass fusing / James Watkins. Pilchuck Glass School, WA, USA.
1990 July Lampworking / Paul Stankard. Pilchuck Glass School, WA, USA.
1989 Apr Pâte de verre / Diana Hobson. Sheridan College, Toronto, Canada.
Professional experience
Since 2001 Design Professional (Self-Employed): graphic, exhibition and web design.
Since 1991 Glass artist, focus on kiln techniques: pâte de verre, fusing, slumping
Related
2020 Art coordinator and communications officer (temporary), Kontiolahti Evangelical Lutheran Parish, Organizing Open calls for portfolios for art work for the new Parish Center.
2008–2012 Researcher (substitute researcher) over several periods, The Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki (exhibition architecture and design, graphic design, etc.)
2004–2005 Exhibition secretary, The Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
1998–2001 Graphic designer, Helsingin Sanomat Internet Edition, (a major newpaper in Finland), visuals, html-coding, illustrations, multimedia (Flash).
1994–97 Researcher, project designer, planner over several periods. Dept. of Ceramic and Glass Design, University of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland.
1993 Research assistant, Institute for Research, University of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland
Teaching and related experience
2014–15 Member of O gallery artist group. Located in Helsinki, the gallery was founded and run by artists.
2000–2003 Finnish co-ordinator with Liisa Ikävalko and Anna Schroderus for the Nordic Glass 2000 exhibition also arranging "Glass Get-togethers" for glass artists (2001, 2003).
2001 Exhibition architect with Liisa Ikävalko, Nordic Glass 2000 exhibition, The Finnish Glass Museum.
1998 June Artistic director, lecturer, 1st International GlassWorkshop for Women, Häme Polytechnic / Wetterhoff School of Crafts and Design.
1990 Pâte de verre workshop assistant for visiting artist Diana Hobson. University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH).
1994 May Erasmus exchange teacher, Sunderland University, England
1989– Glass instructor in several workshops: University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH); Rovaniemi Institute of Industrial Art and Handicrafts; Keracomp Inc; Häme Polytechnic / Wetterhoff School of Crafts and Design; Lahti Polytechnic; Eesti Kunstakadeemia,Tallinn; Bifrost Studio Glass (Birkerød, Denmark); Kankaanpää Institute, Finnish Adult Education Centres in Helsinki, Espoo etc.
Solo and two-person exhibitions
2024 Hetket – piirtoja lasille. Kontiolahti Parish center 7.10.2024–28.2.2025
2015 Olomuotoja – Skepnader, with Johanna Suonpää. Textile and glass art. O galleria, Helsinki.
2011 Olennaisia – Essential, with Riitta Talonpoika. Glass and ceramic art, Galleria Johan S., Helsinki, Finland
2011 Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo, “Window gallery”. 1.–30.5.2011
1997 Riite. Näyttelyhuone (gallery) Klobben, Helsinki, Finland
1995 Glas i pâte de verre. Arioso, Stockholm, Sweden
1992 MA graduate work, pâte de verre, Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
1989 Syvissä Vesissä. Kontiolahti, Finland
Group and travelling exhibitions (selected)
2021 Colour and Movement. Galleria Kookos, Helsinki
2020 Silkkaa iloa! Helsinki Artists’ Association 25 years exhibition.
2015 Suomen lasi elää 7 Finnish glass lives. Suomen lasimuseo, Riihimäki.
2014 Artists of O Galleria – group exhibition. O galleria, Helsinki
2014 2D →. Vilna ja Jurbarkas, Lithuania; Pӓrnu, Estonia; Riga, Latvia. (invitational)
2012 Take away. Gallery Saima, Helsinki. 1.–12.12.2012
2012 Iš plokštumos” (2D →). Lithuanian Artists' Gallery "Arka", Vilna, Vilnius, 3-22 April; Vincas Grybas Museum, Jurbarkas, 4 May - 3 June; Lithuanian Artists' Association Gallery, Klaipeda.
2011–14 Finnish Glass Art, touring international exhibition by the Finnish Glass Museum.
2010 Kattaus. Ornamo & Gallery NORSU, Helsinki. Finland
2010 Poetry of Glass. Evald Okas Museum, Haapsalu; The Museum of New Art, Pärnu, Viro.
2010 Petit o. Ornamo & Taiteilijat O Ry, Gallery NORSU, Helsinki.
2009 Fruit Market, Summer Exhibition 2009, NuGO, Nuutajärvi Gallery Cooperative, Nuutajärvi, Finland
2006–09 New Finnish Glass Art / L’art du verre finlandais 2000–2005. Conseil Général de Meurthe et Moselle, Nancy, France; Musée du verre Carmaux, France; Muzeum Naradowe we Wroclaw, Poland; Stichting Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam, Netherlands; Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art Istanbul, Turkey; Museum of Decorative Art and Design, Riga, Latvia; Banska Bystrica, Slovakia,Kosice, Slovakia.
2005 Particle Theories: International Pate de Verre and Other Cast Glass Granulations. Museum of American Glass, Wheaton Village, NJ, U.S.A.
2004–05 Oblåst. (fused glass, focus on pâte de verre) Västergötlands Museum, Skara; Smålands Museum, Växjö; Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden; Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland.
2004 Hajavaloa / Hajutatud Valgus / Diffused light III. With Liisa Ikävalko, Esko Kurvinen, Riikka Latva-Somppi and Anna Schroderus. Eesti Tarbekunsti- ja Disainimuuseum / Design Museum, Tallinn, Estonia.
2003 Hajavaloa / Diffused light II. With Liisa Ikävalko, Esko Kurvinen, Riikka Latva-Somppi and Anna Schroderus. Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
2002 Hajavaloa / Diffused light – New Finnish Glass. With Liisa Ikävalko, Esko Kurvinen, Riikka Latva-Somppi and Anna Schroderus. Järvenpää Hall, Järvenpää, Finland
2001–03 Faszination Glas – Tendenzen in der finnischen Glaskunst: Germany
2001–03 Finlandia – Vanguardia en Vidrio. Spain, Portugal, Mexico.
2002 Vevring-exhibition. Vevring, Norway.
2001 Tallinn Applied Art Triennal. Tallin Art Hall, Tallinn, Estonia.
2001 Finnish Glass. Fundacion centre nacional del vidrio, La Granja, Espanja.
2000–02 Nordic Glass 2000. Den Nordatlantiske Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark; Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland; Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn, Estonia; The Museum of Applied-Decorative Art, Riga, Latvia; M.K. Ciurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania; Fossekleiva Brukssentter, Bergen in Svelnik County, Norway.
2000 The Nordic Spirit. Lerchenborg Gods, Kalundborg, Denmark.
2000 Moderne Zeiten – Finnisches Glas 1929–1999. Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Dortmund, Germany.
2000 The Nordic Spirit. Lerchenborg Gods, Kalundborg, Denmark.
2000 Päivien kuohu. Villa Vanamo, Oulu, Finland.
1999 Moderne Zeiten – Finnisches Glas 1929–1999. Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Leipzig, Germany
1999 Transparencies. Contemporary Artistic Glass. Casa Teixeira Gomes, Portimao, Portugal
1999 The Nordic Spirit. Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark.
1997 Nordiske Glaskunstnere. Gl. Holtegaard, Holte, Denmark; Fossekleiva Brukssenter Galleriet, Berger, Norway; Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
1997 Finnish glass. Finnish Institute in Paris, France
1997 Summersalon. Contemporary Art Centre, Schalkwijk, The Netherlands
1996 Oostenrijk, Zweden en Finland, De nieuwe grenzen van de Europese Glaskunst. Museum voor Sierkunst en Vormgeving, Gent
1996 Contemporary jewellery exhibition. National Glass Center in Spain, La Granja/Segovia, Spain
1996 Finnishes Glass. Finnish Institute in Berlin, Germany
1996 Divers memories. Pielisen museo, Lieksa, Finland
1996 The First 10 years. Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark
1996 Glas ljus. Form/Design Center, Malmö, Sweden
1996 Finnish post-war glass art and design. Sunderland and Manchester, England
1996 Luovat kädet. Keravan taidemuseo, Kerava, Finland
1995 Nordiska Profiler – Nordic images. Norge, Finland
1995 Autriche, Suède et Finlande les nouvelles frontières de verre europèen. Musée National d'Histoire et d'Art à Luxembourg
1994 Nykylasia / Glaskunst nu. Finnish Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark
1994 Finsk Glaskunst. Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark
1994 Nordiska Profiler – Nordic images. Sweden, Denmark
1994 Suhteellista. With Mirja Niemelä, Raino Ranta and Riitta Talonpoika. INTO-gallery, Helsinki
1993 Finnish Design 9 / Suomi Muotoilee 9. Design Forum Finland, Helsinki
1993 Materia. Taidehalli, Helsinki
1993 Summer exhibition. Design Forum Finland, Helsinki
1992 Talentbörse 1992. München, Germany
1992 Fron modern till nutid. Sweden
1992 Neues glass in Finnland. Germany, Austria, Switzerland
1992 Glass from Finland. Gallerie Suzel Berna, Antibes, Paris, France
1992 Die Kleine Skulptur. Kunsthaus am Museum Carola van Ham, Cologne, Germany
1991 9 elämää. Glass from the University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH). Work by 9 students. Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki, Finland
1989 De Facto. With Brita Flander, Marja Myllymäki and Vesa Varrela. Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki
1987 Light and Material, art exhibition. Helsinki City Art Museum
1987 Metaxis. Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki
1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 Finnish Glass Lives 2–7. The Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
Artfairs
2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020 Art exhibition and sale, Ornamo, Association of Finnish Designers, Cable Factory, Puristamo, Helsinki, Finland
2013 PYHÄNIEMI sales exhibition, Pyhäniemi Manor, Hollola, Finland, 28.6.-11.8.2013
2012 EUNIQUE 2012 International Trade Fair for Applied Arts & Design. Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center, Karlsruhe, Germany 4.–6.5. 2012.
2011 ArtHelsinki, Helsinki Contemporary Art Fair with O-Galleria, Helsinki, Finland, 14–18 September 2011
Collections
The State Art Collection of Finland
Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki
University of Art and Design Helsinki (current Aalto University)
Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark
Handelsbankens Konstförening, Sweden
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden
Private collections in Finland, Sweden, Germany and England.
Commissions, public art
1992 Pâte de verre -window – Enonkoski 110 years, Enonkoski
1989 Memorial, Kontiolahti Library
1986 Memorial, Kontiolahti
Awards, recognitions
2019 Cooperation partner of the year, Aalto Arts Books, Aalto University.
2011 Silver decoration for activity, Merimelojat (kayak club)
2002 MindTrek Tampere: Honorary Mention for Helsingin Sanomat Internet Edition's "webortage", Ghosts in the House [URL not available]. Group work, own input was visuals and flash-animation).
Grants (selection)
2005 Alfred Kordelin Foundation
2004 National Council for Design
2004 Alfred Kordelin Foundation (Hajavaloa-group)
2003 National Council for Design (Hajavaloa-group)
2001 Cultural Fund for Finland and Norway
2000 The Finnish Cultural Foundation
1998 National Council for Crafts and Design
The Finnish Konkordia-union
1996 Helsinki City Art Stipendium
1996 Alfred Kordelin Foundation
1996 Cultural Fund for Finland and Denmark – Kulturfonden för Finland och Danmark
1994 Cultural Fund for Finland and Sweden – Kulturfonden för Sverige och Finland
1991 Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA, USA
1990 Full Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA, USA
Publications (articles and books)
2008 Kaisa Koivisto, Päivi Kekäläinen, Pieni helmikirja. Vitromania, Helsinki 2008. “A little glass bead book” (in Finnish)
2007 Articles with work instructions: glass fusing, slumping and mold casting. Taito Magazine 1, 2 and 3 /2007. (in Finnish)
2006 ”Lasilomalle töitä tekemään"(Glass courses on vacation, in Finnish), Taitaja 2/2006.
2006 ”Tämän päivän lasia” (Contemporary glass, in Finnish), The Friends of the Finnish Glass Museum, Annual report 2005. Riihimäki 2006.
2005 Kaisa Koivisto (ed.), ”Fusing, bending and shaping glass”, ”Wound beads”, Finnish glass lives 5, Finnish Glass Museum, Riihimäki 2005. Exhibition catalogue.
2003 ”Ville Vallgren's Atelier”, [www.yle.fi/teema/teemagalleria/vallgren/ateljee.php]. YLE Teema www-gallery, 9.10.2003. (in Finnish) (Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Teema channel for culture, education and science)
1998 Kiln techniques in glass. Taito Magazine (arts and crafts) 4/98 ja 5/98. (in Finnish)
Memberships and positions of trusts
2019 – The Helsinki Artists’ Association
2006– Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo, Artists O
2004–2019 The Friends of the Finnish Glass Museum Association
2001–2011 Suomen Journalistiliitto, The Finnish Union of Journalists
2000–2019 Merimelojat (kayak club)
1992–2007 The Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo, Taiko
1989–1991, 2008–2010, 2019 Glass Art Society, G.A.S (USA)
2016–2018 Board member, Artists O
2005–2008 Board member, The Friends of the Finnish Glass Museum Association
2009–2013 Editorial Designer, Merimelojat bulletin.
