Laura Itkonen

  • Ceramics
  • Ceramic Art
  • Public Art
  • Crafts
  • Artist
  • Remote
  • Uusimaa
  • Competent

Laura Itkonen is an artist (b. 1981) living and working in Helsinki, Finland. Her primary focus is on creating visually intricate and tangible architectural ceramics and collectible and sculptural design objects that are both unique and valuable. Along with art projects, she finds the intersection of art and design an interesting place to work, as it requires to play and experiment fully with functionality and artistic approach. This area offers an exciting opportunity to push boundaries creatively and experiment within the context of different works. Itkonen’s creations blend different working techniques, combining handmade sculptural elements with the precision of 3D printing. Her use of materials highlights their unique characteristics, while carefully crafted shapes and forms tie everything together.


“Itkonen mixes contrasting materials, techniques, textures and colors in bold combinations. From metallic surfaces on soft ceramics to rough chunks of red clay on delicate porcelain, the surprises keep coming.” 
-Dwell magazine-

With international recognition, Itkonen’s works have been showcased in Milan, London, Paris, and Tokyo to name a few. She has accomplished several works for both private and public spaces in Finland and abroad. In 2019, American Dwell -magazine awarded Itkonen with their annual Emerging Talent -award  and her works are included for example in the collections of the State Art Commission, Aalto University as well as in private collections. Her most recent work is a commissioned public art works completed in 2024 in the elevator lobbies and a few procedure rooms on the 1st-6th floors of the A-wing of the Women’s Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS).

Experience

Work experience

Education

Aalto University, School of Art, Design and Architecture

Master of Arts, Department of Applied Art and Design

2007 – 2010

University of Art and Design Helsinki

Bachelor of Arts, Department of Ceramic and Glass Design

2004 – 2007

Forssa Vocational Institute

Ceramic Artisan, Department of Crafts&Design

2001 – 2004

Works

Ceramics

2024

‘Tuokioita I-VI’ (meaning moments in english) is a multi-part ensemble of ceramic reliefs. The works are located in the elevator lobbies on the 1st-6th floors of the Women’s Hospital A-wing of Helsinki University Hospital, on the corridor walls next to them, and in five procedure rooms. The ensembles consist of different shapes and textures forming detailed, illustration-like three-dimensional ceramic murals. Works were created as an invited artist. (The picture shows the work on the 6th floor)

Collaborators

HUS Helsinki University Hospital

Architect Group Reino Koivula, Inc.

Ceramic Art

’Marquis’ is a collection of handmade, numbered ceramic murals. It’s an exploration to the world of visually strong outcome; reflecting metallic surface combined together with vivid strong colours and playful, strong forms. It’s an intriguing combination of old soul, 70’s aesthetics and art deco vibes still being harmonious and classy.

Public Art

Custom-made ceramic murals to 47 hotel rooms.In this boutique hotel in Helsinki you can sleep under my ceramic murals in the suite, mini suites, superior+ and superior rooms. Client: Folks Hotel Konepaja Vallila / Interior architecture: Pinto Design / Year: 2020-2021

Collaborators

Folks Hotel Konepaja Vallila

Pinto Design

Ceramic Art

A custom-made ceramic logo for traditional Finnish furniture brand Lundia. Handmade of porcelain and Finnish red earthenware parts. A colorful, haptic multi-part entity forms the name of the company on the wall of their flagship store and showroom. Location: Lundia Flagship Store & Showroom, Fredrikinkatu 45, Helsinki

Collaborators

Lundia Oy

Ceramics

Sculptural Series is a an on-going collection of decorative porcelain jars, collectible ceramic treasures. They are my personal playground for experiments, a platform for studies of materials, forms and techniques.

Ceramics

A collection of unique, handmade ceramic clocks with sculptural and tactile approach. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and made by combining various handmaking techniques.

Ceramics

Pumpa and Pomelo are objects inbetween art and design as they are sculptures but also decorative mini vases for single flowers and small arrangements.

Ceramic Art

‘Wall Sculpture’ is a numbered and signed collection of unique ready-made ceramic wall pieces.This collection is my on-going personal exploration with different glazes, surfaces, decorations and techniques. By testing and playing, I seek to find new visual and haptic approaches tothe outcome. Finding contrasts play significant role in each numbered piece, again.

Materials

Clay

Collaborators

HUS Helsinki University Hospital
Architect Group Reino Koivula, Inc.
Folks Hotel Konepaja Vallila
Pinto Design
Lundia Oy