Unique “Aalto Goes High II” Stool by Sheikki on an Alvar Aalto Model 60, 2025

A unique contemporary artwork executed in acrylic on an original Alvar Aalto Model 60 birch stool. Although based on one of the most iconic furniture designs of the twentieth century—the Alvar Aalto Model 60, this piece is offered not merely as a chair, but as a unique work of contemporary art.

When an acknowledged masterpiece of industrial design is reinterpreted through a contemporary artistic vision, the result transcends its original function. It because as Sheikki calls it, a part of the “high” world . Aalto Goes High occupies the space between collectible design and fine art, transforming a familiar object into a bold visual statement while preserving the timeless silhouette that made it famous.

Originally designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930s, the Model 60 stool became one of the defining works of modern furniture design. Its revolutionary bent birch L-leg construction represented a technical breakthrough and helped establish Aalto as one of the leading figures of international Modernism. Nearly a century later, its unmistakable form continues to inspire designers and artists alike.

This one-of-a-kind piece was created by the enigmatic young Finnish artist Sheikki, one of the emerging voices of Finland’s contemporary urban art scene. Working at the intersection of graffiti, design, and installation art, Sheikki has become known for reimagining beloved Finnish design icons through his distinctive hand-painted visual language.

His first series, Aalto Goes High, was exhibited over a two-year period at Hotel Helka in Helsinki before continuing in the acclaimed Purkutaide exhibitions. Every work from that original series was acquired, prompting collectors to request a continuation. This stool belongs to the highly limited Aalto Goes High II series, created in response to that demand.

Beyond the Aalto series, Sheikki has produced numerous installations and artistic interventions featuring recognizable Finnish design classics, including works inspired by Antti Nurmesniemi’s Helsinki Metro. His installation at the annual Purkutaide exhibition proved especially popular, remaining on display for a second year after organizers invited him to further develop and expand the work, a testament to the growing recognition of his artistic practice.

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) remains one of the most influential architects and designers of the twentieth century. His multidisciplinary work encompassed architecture, furniture, lighting, textiles, glass, sculpture, and painting, although he consistently regarded these creative disciplines as branches of the same tree, all stemming from architecture. Together with his wife Aino Aalto, he designed complete environments in which architecture, interiors, furniture, lighting, and glassware formed harmonious wholes.

Today, Aalto’s designs are represented in leading museums and private collections worldwide, while his furniture continues to achieve strong results at international auctions. This unique work offers a compelling dialogue between one of Finland’s greatest design legacies and the expressive vision of a new generation of artists.

Executed in acrylic on an original birch Alvar Aalto Model 60 stool, this one-of-a-kind work is signed by the artist and stands as both a functional object and a collectible piece of contemporary Finnish art.

Sheikki is a Finnish artist whose work ranges from hotel room interiors and installations to miniatures created on a smaller scale. He mastered craftsmanship at an early age, following in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a carpenter. Driven by a lifelong interest in sustainable wood design and art, he has customized various pieces of Artek furniture with his own distinctive style. “I seek out old, worn-out furniture and give it new life through repair and custom styling.” The “High” concept, which originated over a decade ago, has evolved from immersive spatial designs to encompass individual artworks and furniture pieces. The Artek round-topped stool featured here is part of his “High” world.