Born in 1948, Finnish master cabinet maker and designer Kari Virtanen established his own workshop at the age of 19. Founded in 1967, Nikari soon transformed into a renowned furniture brand. The company’s first collaborations included products created by iconic figures such as Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck. Kari Virtanen’s designs are now widely used in both public spaces and commercial environments. His work has been included in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York, with the KVT2 chair chosen for the public seating area of the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki. The designer has received many awards, including the Bruno Mathsson Award and the Design State Award. In 2009, Kari Virtanen received the prestigious Pro Finlandia medal from The President of Finland.