Martti Aiha

Martti Aiha (23 December 1952 – 5 May 2023) was a Finnish sculptor. He was born in Pudasjärvi and worked in Fiskars.^[1]

Martti Aiha
Born	(1952-12-23)23 December 1952 Pudasjärvi, Finland
Died	5 May 2023(2023-05-05) (aged 70)
Occupation	Sculptor
Awards	Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland (1992) Prince Eugen Medal (2013)

Aiha made abstracted sculptured wall reliefs and free-standing sculptures. His reliefs made of transparent acrylic sheet give an impression of immateriality, incorporeality and weightlessness. The ornamental, flame-like living shapes have become his trademark.^[2] In addition to acrylic and plywood, he works with metal, wood or plastic.^[3]

Many of Aiha's works are related to his curiosity of our use of public space.^[4]

Aiha's 15-metre (49 ft) high sculpture Rumba in black-painted aluminium was donated to the City of Helsinki by Alko, the government-owned alcohol company, in the context of Alko's 60th anniversary. The sculpture is located in Salmisaari, near Alko's then headquarters.^[5]

Aiha received the Swedish Prince Eugen Medal in 2013.^[6]

Aiha died on 5 May 2023, at the age of 70.^[7][8]

References

1. "Martti Aiha CV" (PDF). Galleria Heino. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
2. Heino, Rauli (2007). "Martti Aiha 24.4.-20.5.2007". Galleria Heino. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
3. Martti Aiha Skulpturlandskap
4. Martti Aiha Embassy of Finland, Paris (in Finnish)
5. "Rumba". HAM. Helsinki Art Museum. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
6. (in Swedish). Royal Court of Sweden. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
7. "Martti Aiha, 1952–2023". Kohta. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
8. "Kuvanveistäjä Martti Aiha on kuollut". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Helsinki: Yleisradio Oy. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.