Eva Ryynänen
Eva Ryynänen (née Åsenbrygg; 15 June 1915 — 18 October 2001) was a Finnish sculptor known especially for her work in wood.[1][2]
Professori Eva Ryynänen | |
|---|---|
 Eeva Ryynänen in 1969 | |
| Born | Eva Åsenbrygg 15 June 1915 |
| Died | 18 October 2001 (aged 86) |
| Alma mater | Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki |
| Known for | Wood sculpture |
Career
Ryynänen studied at the Academy of Fine Arts (now part of the University of the Arts Helsinki) from 1934 to 1939.[1][2]
Her debut solo exhibition was in 1940.[1] Her breakthrough came in 1974, as a result of an exhibition at the Amos Anderson Art Museum in Helsinki, and a national tour following it.[1]
She created in total c. 500 works, of which approximately 50 are in collections outside Finland.[3]
She is especially known for her numerous wooden sculptures, reliefs and wood carvings housed in many Finnish churches.[2] She also worked extensively with bronze and marble.[1]
Her perhaps most famous creation is the Paateri church in North Karelia, which she built in 1989-1991 entirely of wood. She sculpted everything, including individually designed pews; the altar is an upturned root cluster of a pine tree.[1]
Honours and awards
In 1977, Ryynänen was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[1][4]
In 1998, the honorary title of Professori was conferred on Ryynänen by the President of Finland.[1][3]
She also received the Kalevala 150th anniversary medal in 1985, as well as numerous other awards.[3]
References
- "Eva Ryynänen". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 19 October 2001. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- "Ryynänen, Eva". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- "Artist Register - Eva Ryynänen". Kuvataiteilijamatrikkeli.fi (in Finnish). Artists' Association of Finland. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- "SUOMEN LEIJONAN PRO FINLANDIA -MITALIN SAAJAT 1945-2021". Ritarikunnat.fi (in Finnish). The Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2022.