Eila Hiltunen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eila Hiltunen
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Hiltunen with a miniature version of the Sibelius sculpture in 1965.
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| Born | 22 November 1922 Sortavala, Finland
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| Died | 10 November 2003 |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Spouse(s) | Otso Pietinen |
Eila Vilhelmina Hiltunen (born November 22, 1922, in Sortavala, Finland – died October 10, 2003, in Helsinki) was a famous Finnish sculptor. She is best known for creating the Sibelius Monument in 1967. This large sculpture is a popular landmark in Helsinki. A smaller version of her Sibelius Monument can also be found at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Eila Hiltunen's Early Life and Art
Eila Hiltunen was born in 1922 into a family that was doing well. Her father invested in cars, and her mother strongly supported Eila, who was their only child. However, the family faced tough times during the economic crash of 1929.
Eila's mother raised her after her father passed away in 1941. Eila loved art and studied at the Finnish Art Academy. She was very talented and won the sculpture prize there two times.
In 1944, Eila got married and later had children. She always used her birth name, Hiltunen, for her art. Her marriage lasted for 50 years until her husband, Otso Pietinen, died in 1993.
The Famous Sibelius Monument
Eila Hiltunen is most famous for creating the Sibelius Monument. This important sculpture was finished in 1967. It won a competition held by the Sibelius Society after the composer Jean Sibelius died in 1957. Today, it is one of the most visited places in Helsinki for tourists.
When the monument was first shown, some people did not like its design. The sculpture looks like many metal pipes, which is an abstract design. Some people thought it looked like organ pipes, but they knew that Sibelius did not write much music for organs. To make everyone happy, Eila Hiltunen added a sculpture of Sibelius's face next to the main pipe sculpture.
A smaller sculpture by Hiltunen, which looks like the Sibelius Monument, is located at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Awards and Legacy
Eila Hiltunen received the Finland Prize in 2000 for her amazing work. She passed away in 2003.
In 2022, a special art show of Hiltunen's sculptures was held at the Didrichsen Art Museum in Helsinki. This show celebrated 100 years since her birth and honored her important contributions to art.
See also
In Spanish: Eila Hiltunen para niños
