Rudolf Koivu 2023 Award exhibition

Grafia awards the Rudolf Koivu Prize for the best children’s and young adult literature illustration every other year. The prize, worth 10,000 euros, aims to elevate children’s book art. The award is funded through the copying remunerations collected by Kopiosto.

Grafia’s creative space, Luonnos, presents the prize-winning work “Kadoksissa” by illustrator Kati Närhi (Capuchina Kustannus, 2022), along with nine other pieces that received honourable mentions from the jury.

The prize was first awarded in 1949 in honour of the life’s work of illustrator Rudolf Koivu, one of Grafia’s founding members. Koivu was the first secretary of Grafia, founded 90 years ago.

The jury for the Rudolf Koivu Prize in 2023 has nominated the following books by illustrators:

Linda Bondestam: God morgon rymden (Förlaget, 2022)
Liisa Kallio: Vallattoman laivan laulut (WSOY, 2023)
Ilja Karsikas: Yksisarvinen (Kustantamo S&S, 2022)
Tuomas Kärkkäinen: Festarimysteeri (Kustantamo S&S, 2023)
Jenny Lucander: Fakta om pappor (Förlaget, 2021)
Sanna Mander: Min lilla häxa (Schildts & Söderströms, 2021)
Kati Närhi: Kadoksissa (Capuchina Kustannus, 2022)
Lille Santanen: Puhelimen pomoksi, ota digimaailma haltuun (Tammi, 2022)
Salla Savolainen: Betonia! (WSOY, 2022)
Miila Westin: Loputon talvi (Kustantamo S&S, 2023)

17.11.–3.12.2023
Rudolf Koivu 2023 – Award exhibition
Luonnos– Grafia’s Creative Space, Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
Opening hours: Wed–Fri 12–17, Sat–Sun 12–16

Exhibition architecture & installation: Klaus Aalto
Visual design: Klaus Aalto
Visual identity of the award: Linda Linko
Production: Essi Lax & Anna Suonsyrjä
Communication: Anna Suonsyrjä and Katja Ojala