Ukri Merikanto

Ukri Merikanto
Merikanto in 2009
Born
Ukri Uolevi Merikanto

(1950-03-20)20 March 1950
Helsinki, Finland
Died25 July 2010(2010-07-25) (aged 60)
Helsinki, Finland
Known forSculpture

Ukri Uolevi Merikanto (20 March 1950 – 25 July 2010) was a Finnish sculptor.[1]

Biography

Merikanto studied art and design at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki from 1968 to 1971.[2][3] From 1974 until 1979 Merikanto was employed as a teacher at the academy, where he molded plastic designs.

In most of Merikanto's works, he used stone as the material. He was a key name in Finnish modernist art. His three-dimensional works address issues such as the relationship between weight and weightlessness.

In 2009, Merikanto was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[4]

Some of Merikanto's notable works include:

  • Teräspursi (1981–1982)
  • Barcarola (1991)
  • Sisääntulo (1994)
  • Lintukoto (1999)
  • Kaukomieli (2000), a memorial sculpture for Otto Manninen, placed in Anni Swan Park in central Kangasniemi, Finland[5]
  • Con amore (2000)

Merikanto died on 25 July 2010 in Helsinki.[2] He is buried within the Hietaniemi Cemetery beside his father and his grandfather, Oskar Merikanto.

References

  1. ^ Björkman, Ingmar. Merikanto, Ukri at Uppslagsverket Finland, Web edition (in Swedish). Svenska folkskolans vänner. (Accessed April 7, 2022.)
  2. ^ a b "Kuvanveistäjä Ukri Merikanto on kuollut". Yle. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Kuvanveistäjä Ukri Merikanto on kuollut". MTV Uutiset. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. ^ Recipients of the Finnish Lion Pro Finlandia Medal 1945–2019 (in Finnish). Accessed January 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Municipality of Kangasniemi, Tourist sights. Accessed January 22, 2020.