<u> <br /></u>Oiva Toikka (born 1931) is one of Finlands most noted glass designers and artists, who has studied and masters his material in a varied and unprejudiced way. The general public knows him from the birds of the Nuutajarvi Glass Factory, that have been in production for 30 years this year. During his long career, Oiva Toikka has also done a lot more: objects and glassware that have been designed for mass production, playful fantasy statuettes and unique pieces of glass art. Toikka has been working as an artist and a designer for Arabia and Marimekko, and designed stage settings and costumes for operas and plays. His awards included the Lunning Prize, Finnish States Award for Crafts and Design, Pro Finlandia Medal, Worlds Glass Now '85 Award, Japan, Kaj Franck Prize, Finland Prize and in the end of last year, he was awarded the respected Swedish Prins Eugen -medal.