110th Anniversary of Birth and 40th Anniversary of Death: First Japanese Retrospective 'Tapio Wirkkala - The Ends of the Earth' at Shimane Art Museum
Shimane Art Museum will hold the first Japanese retrospective of the Finnish modern design master Tapio Wirkkala starting June 26, 2026. Exploring the appeal of his formative expressions through about 300 works.
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Shimane Art Museum is pleased to announce the special exhibition 'Tapio Wirkkala - The Ends of the Earth' to be held as follows.
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) possessed an overwhelming presence in the Finnish modern design world.
This is the first retrospective in Japan planned to commemorate the 110th anniversary of his birth and the 40th anniversary of his passing. Featuring approximately 300 carefully selected products and objects from the EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art, the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, and Collection Kakkonen, along with drawings (copies) and photographs revealing the production processes and backgrounds, it explores the charm of the Nordic modern design master Tapio Wirkkala.
1. Event Overview
Exhibition Name / Tapio Wirkkala - The Ends of the Earth
Dates / Friday, June 26, 2026 - Monday, August 31, 2026
Closed / Tuesdays (Open on August 11)
Venue / Shimane Art Museum, Special Exhibition Room
Hours / 10:00 - 30 minutes after sunset (Admission to the exhibition room is until sunset)
Organizers / Shimane Art Museum, TSK San-in Chuo Television Broadcasting, San-in Chuo Shimpo, SPS Shimane Group
Planning Cooperation / EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, Blue Sheep
Special Cooperation / Iittala
Support / Embassy of Finland, The Finnish Institute in Japan, Asahi Shimbun Matsue General Bureau, Mainichi Shimbun Matsue Bureau, Yomiuri Shimbun Matsue Bureau, Sankei Shimbun, Chugoku Shimbun, Shin Nihonkai Shimbun, Shimane Nichinichi Shimbun, NHK Matsue Broadcasting Station, BSS San-in Broadcasting, Nihonkai Telecasting, FM San-in, San-in Cable Vision
Admission Fee / On sale from Monday, May 25, 2026
◎ Online / Lawson Ticket [Special Exhibition + Collection Exhibition Set Ticket]
Adults: 1,400 yen, University students: 830 yen, Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 300 yen
* Online tickets can be purchased from the museum website.
* Lawson Tickets (L Code: 63405) are available at Lawson stores.
◎ Same-day Tickets
[Special Exhibition Only]
Adults: 1,300 yen (1,040 yen), University students: 800 yen (640 yen), Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 400 yen (320 yen)
[Special Exhibition + Collection Exhibition Set Ticket]
Adults: 1,500 yen (1,200 yen), University students: 930 yen (740 yen), Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 400 yen (320 yen)
* Free for preschoolers * Prices in parentheses are for groups of 20 or more
* Free for holders of Physical Disability Certificate (Disability Certificate App: Mirairo ID), Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Health and Welfare Certificate, or Atomic Bomb Survivor's Certificate, and up to one accompanying person.
2. Highlights of this Exhibition
- The first large-scale retrospective in Japan of Tapio Wirkkala, who was active at the forefront as a designer for the glass manufacturing company Iittala.
- An exhibition structure that explores his charm through an overwhelming number of works totaling approximately 300 items and related materials such as production processes.
- Focus on formative expressions inspired by the mysteries of life and great nature.
- Introducing his multi-faceted active role across various genres as a designer, sculptor, and plastic artist.
Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) possessed an overwhelming presence in the Finnish modern design world.
This is the first retrospective in Japan planned to commemorate the 110th anniversary of his birth and the 40th anniversary of his passing. Featuring approximately 300 carefully selected products and objects from the EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art, the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, and Collection Kakkonen, along with drawings (copies) and photographs revealing the production processes and backgrounds, it explores the charm of the Nordic modern design master Tapio Wirkkala.
1. Event Overview
Exhibition Name / Tapio Wirkkala - The Ends of the Earth
Dates / Friday, June 26, 2026 - Monday, August 31, 2026
Closed / Tuesdays (Open on August 11)
Venue / Shimane Art Museum, Special Exhibition Room
Hours / 10:00 - 30 minutes after sunset (Admission to the exhibition room is until sunset)
Organizers / Shimane Art Museum, TSK San-in Chuo Television Broadcasting, San-in Chuo Shimpo, SPS Shimane Group
Planning Cooperation / EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, Blue Sheep
Special Cooperation / Iittala
Support / Embassy of Finland, The Finnish Institute in Japan, Asahi Shimbun Matsue General Bureau, Mainichi Shimbun Matsue Bureau, Yomiuri Shimbun Matsue Bureau, Sankei Shimbun, Chugoku Shimbun, Shin Nihonkai Shimbun, Shimane Nichinichi Shimbun, NHK Matsue Broadcasting Station, BSS San-in Broadcasting, Nihonkai Telecasting, FM San-in, San-in Cable Vision
Admission Fee / On sale from Monday, May 25, 2026
◎ Online / Lawson Ticket [Special Exhibition + Collection Exhibition Set Ticket]
Adults: 1,400 yen, University students: 830 yen, Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 300 yen
* Online tickets can be purchased from the museum website.
* Lawson Tickets (L Code: 63405) are available at Lawson stores.
◎ Same-day Tickets
[Special Exhibition Only]
Adults: 1,300 yen (1,040 yen), University students: 800 yen (640 yen), Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 400 yen (320 yen)
[Special Exhibition + Collection Exhibition Set Ticket]
Adults: 1,500 yen (1,200 yen), University students: 930 yen (740 yen), Elementary/Junior High/High School students: 400 yen (320 yen)
* Free for preschoolers * Prices in parentheses are for groups of 20 or more
* Free for holders of Physical Disability Certificate (Disability Certificate App: Mirairo ID), Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Health and Welfare Certificate, or Atomic Bomb Survivor's Certificate, and up to one accompanying person.
2. Highlights of this Exhibition
- The first large-scale retrospective in Japan of Tapio Wirkkala, who was active at the forefront as a designer for the glass manufacturing company Iittala.
- An exhibition structure that explores his charm through an overwhelming number of works totaling approximately 300 items and related materials such as production processes.
- Focus on formative expressions inspired by the mysteries of life and great nature.
- Introducing his multi-faceted active role across various genres as a designer, sculptor, and plastic artist.
FAQ
When will the 'Tapio Wirkkala - The Edge of the World' exhibition be held?
It will be held from June 26, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
Where will the 'Tapio Wirkkala - The Edge of the World' exhibition be held?
It will be held at the Shimane Prefectural Art Museum's Planning Exhibition Room.
What kind of works will be exhibited in this exhibition?
Approximately 300 works including products and objects, as well as drawings and photographs that reveal the production process and background will be exhibited.
Who is Tapio Wirkkala?
He is a designer, sculptor, and artist known for his work in Finnish modern design and as a designer for Iittala.
What is the admission fee?
The general admission fee on the day of the exhibition is 1,300 yen for the planning exhibition only, and 1,500 yen for a set ticket including the collection exhibition. Advance tickets are also available online and through Lawson Ticket.