Markku Kosonen

Birch Sculpture V, basket sculpture by Markku Kosonen

1993

Wood was integral to the artistic practice of the late Markku Kosonen of Finland. An important aspect of his work was the ability to express things; craftsmanship alone was not enough. “What begins as an ordinary utilitarian object soon turns into a creative work” he said. “The purpose of work such as this is to appeal to one’s emotions. For me, arts and crafts entail a spiritual processing of material, linking humanism to objects.” Kosonen is renown for his basket sculptures, often sculpted and woven from willow, birch and other woods. His artwork has been collected and exhibited across the globe including at the Helsinki Design Museum (Finland), the Museum of Arts and Crafts (Germany), the American Craft Museum (New York, New York), among many other notable institutions. During his remarkable career, he was the recipient of a 1-, 5- and 15-year Artist’s Grant from the Government of Finland, the Alvar Aalto Foundation Prize, and the Pro Finlandia Medal.