BEN AF SCHULTÉN AND THE TRADITION OF ARTEK
The interior architect Ben af Schultén was a close friend to Maire Gullichsen. He was the artistic director of Artek from 1976 to 2004. In addition to his day job, he also took an active interest in Galerie Artek and its successor, providing it with expert services and even working as graphic designer.
The exhibition presents Schultén´s work from a period spanning four decades. The exhibition concept is created by the architect Kirsi Gullichsen and it is realised in cooperation with the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation and the Alvar Aalto Museum.
Press Release
BEN AF SCHULTÉN AND THE ARTEK TRADITION
Exhibitions
Pori Art Museum, Project Room
May 29 – September 27, 2009
Ben af Schultén graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in 1963. Shortly thereafter, he began working at Artek as a permanent designer, and a decade later, in 1976, he was appointed Artek’s Artistic Director. Ben af Schultén held this position until 2004.
Ben af Schultén was a close friend of Maire Gullichsen. It has been said that their mutual understanding of interior design was seamless. As Artek’s Artistic Director, his duties included designing new models compatible with Artek’s Aalto collection and further developing the overall range. Ben af Schultén designed furniture for Artek and created interior, exhibition, and trade fair designs, along with graphic design for various uses and exhibition posters. Unlike conventional furniture stores, Artek also organized exhibitions not only about its own operations but also about the works of Alvar and Aino Aalto, among others. These exhibitions were showcased both domestically and internationally.
Ben af Schultén designed around 20 chair models alone. Some of these were created to complement Artek’s standard collection. One of the most well-known and popular designs is the armchair model 444 with its matching ottoman, created in 1967. The lounge chair, produced by Noormarkku Handicrafts, reflects a strong tradition of woodworking in both appearance and craftsmanship. Ben af Schultén also designed furniture for children, including the high chair model N16/616 for small children, as well as cribs, bunk beds, and children’s chairs. In his design work, Ben af Schultén skillfully avoided fleeting design trends of his time, remaining true to his clear vision of what constitutes a good piece of furniture.
In addition to his professional work, Ben af Schultén was actively involved in Galerie Artek and its successor, contributing as an expert and graphic designer. In 1999, he was awarded the Furniture Prize by the Finnish Association of Interior Architects (SIO) for his life’s work as a designer at Artek. In 2005, he received the Ilmari Tapiovaara Prize and was honored with the Pro Finlandia Medal in 2008.
The exhibition BEN AF SCHULTÉN AND THE ARTEK TRADITION has been produced in collaboration with the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation, the Mairea Foundation, Artek, the Design Museum, and the Alvar Aalto Museum.
Translated with ChatGPT