KIRSI KIVIVIRTA  
b. 1959, Finland

EDUCATION

1985
Master of Arts, University of Art and Design Helsinki, UIAH 

1983
Practical training, Arabia Factory 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023
White Light, Täky Galleria, Lappeenranta, Finland

2022
Crypt, Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland 

2019
Mark Rothko Art Center, Daugavpils, Latvia

2017
Vellikello Art Gallery, Järvenpää, Finland

2015
Galleria Nuovo, Lahti, Finland

2014
Galleria Pictor, Vihti, Finland 

2012
Solveig Lindqvist Projects, Helsinki, Finland

2011
Galleria Nuovo, Lahti, Finland
St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel, Turku, Finland 

2009
Artist of the Month, Artists O, Designmuseo, Helsinki, Finland

2008
Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland

2007
Galleria 5, Oulu, Finland
Hyllygalleria, Rikhardinkatu Library, Helsinki, Finland

2005
Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland

2004
Aralis Library, Helsinki, Finland

2000
Time Present, Kunsthalle Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

1989
Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland

1994
Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

1989
Adamson-Ericu Museum, Tallinn, Estonia

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024
A Little Fun at My Work: Women in Design and Craft, Wells Fargo Center, Minneapolis, MN
Kirsi Kivivirta & Bente Skjøttgaard, HB381, New York, NY

2023
AfterGlow Remix, Køppe Contemporary Objects, Rønne, Denmark
Landscapes on Clay, Galleria A2, Helsinki, Finland
Pause, Lokal Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Under the Surface, HAA Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2022
AfterGlow: New Nordic Porcelain, Kunsthall Grenland, Norway; Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, Sweden; CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, Denmark 
Ahokainen – Blåfield – Kivivirta - Rytkölä, Imatra Art Museum, Imatra, Finland

2021
Northern Lights, Villa Streccius, Landau, Germany
On the Edge, Korundi, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Rovaniemi, Finland

2020
Dialogi (Dialogue), Galleria G12, Helsinki, Finland
From Form to Surface, Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, Vantaa, Finland

2019
Blås & Knåda, Stockholm, Sweden

2018
About Clay, Fiskars, Finland
Contemporary Touch, IAC Finnish Members, Taiwan
IAC Members exhibition, Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Black Wall Gallery, Vaasa, Finland

2017
Avata, Lokal, Helsinki, Finland
Ceramic Art, Institute V-oglje, Voglje, Slovenia
Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea
Memory Box, Mark Rothko Art Centre, Daugavpils, Latvia
Public Art Now, Dipoli, Espoo, Finland
White Noise, Riga Porcelain Museum, Riga, Latvia
Stroganov State Academy of Design and Applied Arts, Moscow, Russia

2016
IAC Members Exhibition, Museu del Disseny de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain 
Finnish Institute, Paris, France
Galleria Katariina, Helsinki, Finland
Gölcük Seramik, Kocaeli, Turkey 

2015
Anu Pentik Gallery, Posio, Finland

2014
Ceramics and Space, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland
White, Lokal, Helsinki, Finland
Concours International Limoges, Ville de Limoges, Limoges, France 
Galleria Arabia, Helsinki, Finland
Gallery Marianne Heller, Heidelberg, Germany
IAC Members Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland 
Schloss Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart, Germany

2013
Cheongju International Craft Biennale, South Korea 
Pyhäniemi Art Exhibition, Hollola, Finland 
Toinen Kattaus (Second Ceiling), Lokal, Helsinki, Finland

2012
Ceramega, Voipaala Art Center, Sääksmäki, Finland
IAC Members Exhibition, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
Kotona 7, Fiskars, Finland
Metamorfoosi (Metamorphosis), Lahti City Museum, Lahti, Finland
Makuja ja Muotoja (Flavors and Shapes), Makasiini, Fiskars, Finland
Officine Saffi, Milan, Italy
The International Museum of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy 

2011
Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea 
LB Contemporary, Helsinki, Finland

2010
European Ceramic Context, Bornholm, Denmark
Feuer und Eis (Fire and Ice), Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany
Five Year Anniversary Exhibition, Galleria Norsu, Helsinki, Finland  
Muotoilijat (Designers), Finnish Designer Awards, Design Forum, Finland, Helsinki, Finland
Muotoilijat (Designers), The Finnish-Norwegian Institute, Oslo, Norway
The Masters Exhibition, Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong, Australia
Gallerie Oljemark, Helsinki, Finland
Gallery Marianne Heller, Heidelberg, Germany

2009
Ceramics from Finland, Galleria Besson, London, UK
Journey, Galleria Norsu, Helsinki, Finland
Otto, Artists O, Circulo de Bellas Artes, Madrid, Spain 
Seven Views, Koskisto Art Center, Ruotsinkylä, Finland
Iparmüvészeti Múzeum, Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, Hungary 

2008
Eighth International Ceramics Exhibition, Mino, Japan 
Otto, Artists O, Vantaa Art Museum, Finland
Signs of the Times, Helsinki Artists’ Association, Helsinki, Finland
FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums, China 
Gallerie Oljemark, Helsinki, Finland

2007
Open, Annantalo Arts Centre, Helsinki, Finland

2006
Reinterpreting Nature, Design Forum Finland 

2005
54º Concorso Internazionale della Ceramica d'Arte, Faenza, Italy

2004
Ceramega, Voipaala Art Center, Valkeakoski, Finland
Syvällä Savessa (Deep in the Clay), The Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland

2003
Ihmeiden Puutarha (Garden of Miracles), South Carelian Art Museum, Lappeenranta, Finland
The Successors of Alfred William Finch - A Century of Finnish Ceramics, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland

2002
Findesignnow, Design Forum, Helsinki, Finland
Hot Line, Arabia Museum Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
Hot Line, Kajaani Art Museum, Kajaani, Finland
Hot Line, Salo Art Museum Veturitalli, Salo, Finland

2001
Hot Line, Kouvola Art Museum, Kouvola, Finland
Neighbors II, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Céramique Contemporaine de Châteauroux, Châteauroux, France 

2000
Hot Line, Savonlinna Art Museum, Savonlinna, Finland 
Neighbors, Mukhina Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia

1999
Hot Line, Lönnström Art Museum, Rauma, Finland
Hagelstam Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

1998
Hot Line, Keuruu Art Museum, Keuruu, Finland
Taiko, Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland

1996
Ceramega, Voipaala, Sääksmäki, Finland
Ceramic Route 96, Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, Finland
Ceramics and Glass Faculty Profiles, Into Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

1995
Junge Kunstszene Finnland, Hetjens-Museum, Dusseldorf; Karlsruhe, Germany 
Pro Natura, Ltd Martela, Helsinki, Finland

1994
Arioso Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden

1993
Helmenkalastajat (Pearl Divers), Otso Gallery, Espoo, Finland 
Materia (Matter), Helsinki Art Hall, Helsinki, Finland

1992
Lasia Keramiikkaa (Glass Ceramics), Bellarte, Turku, Finland
North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Pro Patria, Design Forum Finland, Helsinki, Finland
Rajoilla Regional Exhibition, Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki, Finland

1991
Summer Exhibition, Alajärvi, Finland
Ixia Gallery, Tampere, Finland
Opri Gallery, Lappeenranta, Finland

1990
Decade, Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, Finland
East Meets North, Posio and Helsinki, Finland
Finnishe Keramik (Finnish Ceramics), Gallery Uta Goppelsröder, Bretten, Germany 

1989
Forty Years Jubilee Exhibition of Interior Designers, Helsinki, Finland
Inside-Outside, Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki and Alajärvi, Finland
L´Europe des Ceramistes (The Europe of the Ceramicists), Auxerre, France
Figo Gallery, Joensuu, Finland

1988
Coincidence, Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki and Vaasa, Finland

1987
Finnish Form, traveling exhibition, Finland
Metaxis, Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, Finland

1986
Outlines of Thought, Arabia Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

1985
De Nieuve Generatie (The New Generation), Inart Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Final Examination, Museum of Applied Arts, Helsinki, Finland

1983
Pieces, Gallery Vanha, Helsinki, Finland

SITE-SPECIFIC PROJECTS

2017
Annantalo Arts Centre Courtyard (Team: Kirsi Kivivirta, Erja Mehto, Heli Niska, Harri Piispanen)

 2012
Wäinö Aaltonen Primary School, Turku

2010
Kontula Primary School (In collaboration with Saana Murtti)
Soininen Primary School (In collaboration with Saana Murtti)

2009
Annantalo Arts Centre, Restroom Wall Tiles (In collaboration with Kirsi-Marja Siren)

2000
Brick Art, Somero Library Courtyard 

RESIDENCIES & SYMPOSIUMS

2021
Norsk Teknisk Porcelen, Fredrikstad, Norway (New Nordic Porcelain Forum)

2019
Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center, Skælskør, Denmark (New Nordic Porcelain Forum)

2017
Twelfth International Colony of Art, Institute V-oglje, Voglje, Slovenia

2016
Sixth Gölcük Ceramic Symposium, Kocaeli Üniversitesi, İzmit, Turkey

2015
Arctic Ceramic Center, Posio, Finland

2008
Fuping, China 

2000
Kultela Brick Factory, Somero, Finland

MEMBERSHIPS

Artists O
Board for Public Display Grants to Visual Arts
Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo
Helsinki Artists’ Association
IAC, International Academy of Ceramics
Kuvasto 
Ornamo Fund
The Art Division of Ornamo (Chairman)
Vice Chairman of Designer-Makers TAIKO 

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Aalto University School of Business, Espoo, Finland
Arabianranta Residential Area
Arctic Ceramic Centre Collection
Daycare Soittaja, Helsinki, Finland
Design Museum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Embassy of Finland in Paris, France; Tallinn, Estonia; and Warsaw, Poland
Espoo Hospital, Espoo, Finland
Finnish Ministry of Education
Finnish Defense Forces
Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
FLICAM - FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums, Fuping, China
Fondazione Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche, Faenza, Italy
Helsinki Music Centre, Helsinki, Finland
International Golcuk Ceramic Symposium Collection, Golcuk, Kocaeli, Turkey
Kocaeli University, İzmit, Turkey
Riga Porcelain Museum, Riga, Latvia
Mark Rothko Art Center, Daugavpils, Latvia
Mizunami City Library, Mizunami, Japan
Museu del Càntir d´Argentona, Argentona, Spain
OP Financial Group
Tapiola Group, Finland
The Finnish State Art Collection
The National Police School of Finland
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX
State Art Collections Ireland
Yingge Ceramic Museum / IAC Collection, New Taipei, Taiwan

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

2023
Taike, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (group) 

2022–26
Artist Professor 

2021
Public Display Grant to Visual Artists
Taike (group) 

2020
Artist Grant 
The Cross of the Merit of Finnish Lion 

2018
The Finnish Cultural Foundation (group)

2013–17
State Grant for Artists 

2017
Frame
Greta and Alfred Runebergs Foundation 
Memory Box Competition, Solo Exhibition Award at Mark Rothko Art Centre, Daugavpils, Latvia
Ornamo, Gold Medal 
Taike, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Grant for Mobility

2014
Concours International de Création en Porcelaine, Finalist

Frame
Greta and Alfred Runebergs Foundation 
Travel Grant

2012
Arts Council of Finland
Frame
Greta and William Lehtinen Fund
Svenska Kulturfonden
The Finnish Cultural Foundation 

2011
Grant for Children’s Culture 

2010
Arts Council of Finland

Ceramic Artist of the Year, Ornamo
National Council for Design 
The Finnish Cultural Foundation

Travel Grant 

2009
Public Display Grant to Visual Artists 
Travel Grant

2008
Art Council of Uusimaa
Arts Council of Finland
Eighth International Ceramics Exhibition, Mino, Japan, Two Honorable Mentions (Knot Tiles and White Mosaic wall piece)

Ornamo Fund
Travel Grant

2006–08
State Grant for Artists, National Council for Design 

2007
Journalists' Dozen, Habitare Fair (Cubitum stool) 

2004
National Council for Design

2002
National Council for Design
Findesignnow, Honorable Mention (Vine tiles)
Public Display Grant to Visual Artists 

2001
Art Council of Uusimaa 
Arts Council of Finland 

2000
Arts Council of Finland
Greta and William Lehtinen Fund 

1999
Ornamo Fund
The Finnish Cultural Foundation 

1998
Ornamo Fund
Arts Council of Finland 

1997
Art Council of Uusimaa 

1995
Art Council of Uusimaa

1993
Art Council of Uusimaa 

1992
Arts Council of Finland 

1990
Arts Council of Finland

1989
Arts Council of Finland
Finnish Cultural Foundation 

1988
Arts Council of Finland
The Finnish Cultural Foundation 

1983
The Award of the Arts Council of Uusimaa