Oiva Toikka (1931-2019) was born on a farm in Viipuri in Eastern Finland (now part of Russia). He was a Finnish glass and ceramist artist who became known worldwide for his collection of glass birds designed for Iittala. He attended the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki in 1953-56 and 1959-60.
After graduation, Oiva Toikka was hired by the Arabia porcelain factory in Helsinki in 1956. Initially working in different departments of the factory, he was soon transferred to its famed Art Department.
In 1963, Oiva Toikka started working for Nuutajärvi - Finland’s oldest glassworks. Oiva Toikka’s unique production comprises more than 60 years of artistry. In addition to glass and ceramic, his artistic activities cover staging, fashion design and plastic interior design elements.
