/ KATERIIN RIKKEN

Kateriin Rikken was born on August 19, 1983, in Tallinn, Estonia. She grew up in the scenic natural surroundings of Aegviidu, where she completed her primary education before moving to Tallinn to continue her studies.
During high school, she developed an interest in glass art, and in 2002, she enrolled in the glass art department at the Estonian Academy of Arts, graduating in 2005. After completing her studies, she felt a strong desire to further explore glassblowing, which had not been extensively covered in the academy’s curriculum. In 2005, Kateriin applied for and was awarded a Leonardo da Vinci scholarship, which enabled her to undertake a seven-month internship in Sweden at the studio of Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig. There, she discovered the allure of hot glass, which inspired her to pursue this field more deeply. In 2007, she successfully gained admission to the Glass and Ceramic Center of the Danish Design School on the island of Bornholm, where she studied glassblowing. After completing her studies, Kateriin returned to Estonia to establish her own studio, where she could apply and further develop her skills. Her education in Estonia and Denmark has provided her with a strong foundation for both artistic expression and advanced technical expertise.

Kateriin’s work reflects a continuous exploration of new nuances within the multifaceted world of glass, drawing inspiration from the material’s ability to be both minimalistic and complex—like intricate optical labyrinths. In her recent works, LED lighting has become an important component, offering new possibilities to experiment with the properties of glass in innovative ways.
An additional branch of her creative practice is eco-design, driven by the noble aim of recycling—giving old materials a new form and a renewed life.