“Glass is like me — spontaneous and organic.”
— Milla Vaahtera
BIO
Milla Vaahtera is a Finnish designer and artist based in Porvoo, known for her bold, sculptural work that merges traditional craft with contemporary expression. Passionate about reviving Finland’s heritage of handmade arts, Vaahtera’s practice bridges design, sculpture,
and improvisation.
She is best known for her acclaimed Dialogue series — a collection of mobiles and stabiles combining striking hand-blown glass elements with delicate brass structures. The series, which began in May 2017, is rooted in collaboration and improvisation with master glassblowers from Nuutajärvi Glass Village, while all brasswork is crafted by Vaahtera herself.
Vaahtera earned her Master of Arts degree from Aalto University in 2010. In 2021, she was recognized as one of AD Italia’s 100 Game Changers. Her work has been exhibited internationally in museums, galleries, and design institutions, including the Design Museum Finland, Artek Helsinki, Minä Perhonen, Lokal Helsinki, Galerie Philia, Koos, and UU Market.
She is currently working on her first public art commission at Skib Campus in Pori, in collaboration with JKMM Architects.
Portrait by Elina Simonen.