Olli Lyytikäinen: highlights from the biography

1949
* Tenho Olavi (Olli) Lyytikäinen born in the early hours of 12 May 1949 in Heinävesi hospital.
* In addition to father (carpenter) and mother (cleaning woman), his family includes a sister, one year older than himself, and, a couple of years later, a brother.

1950–1956
* Apart from reading, his favourite past-time is drawing. His participation in playing cowboys and Indians consists of making props and painting shields. He also has an interest in birds and tries to protect their nests.
* His parents describe him as a somewhat shy child, well-behaved and quiet, who prefers his own company. His sister remembers Olli as a white-blond, whining child, but still defiant and strong; he gets angry easily although he soon calms down. He is in earnest about everything that catches his fancy.

1957–59
* His favourite literature, apart from adventure books and Korkeajännitys suspense stories, are comic books – the Finnish Donald Duck magazine, Pecos Bill and Zorro.

1961–62
* The family moves to Espoo. Olli goes to the Etelä-Espoo comprehensive school, which he attends until the spring of 1965.

1965
* Seeks admission to the Institute of Industrial Design (Ateneum) to study graphic art. A mere 1½ points separates him from this objective, and he decides not to try again.
* Takes a sabbatical from school work and works as a commercial artist

1967
* At the end of the summer, Olli and Jorma Salojärvi take a boat to London. ”We didn't have a penny when we arrived in London. Olli began to do some drawings which I sold just to make ends meet."

1968
* ”Less than 20 years of age, Olli Lyytikäinen was in the habit of sitting seemingly idle in the Nissen café in Aleksanterinkatu. – – There was this dazzlingly blond young man with graceful features who sat there doodling in a sketch book which he always carried with him.” (Leo Lindsten, Kulttuurivihkot 1987/1, 2.)
* Diary entry on 25 November about the occupation of the Old Student House and his rather lukewarm enthusiasm: ”Well, there's been a revolution going on from Sunday till today, Tuesday; I've been tagging along because of some strange idleness.”
* Lives at Juhani Harri's place. Harri has an aviary; birds and cages are depicted in drawings from this period.

1969
* His military service is deferred on several occasions until finally he is relieved from it.

Early 1970s
* Illustrations and graphic design for book covers. Illustrations for the educational publications of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Kieliradio and Opetusohjelmat; 1970–72) and various magazines such as Pirkka, Tuuletin, VIP and Aura.

1970
* In February takes part in the 75th Finnish Artists' annual exhibition in Kunsthalle Helsinki.
* Enters a relationship with Meri Oravisto whose face and name (Meri = the sea) inspire drawings with birds and girls and sea motifs.
* Participates in the first exhibition by the group Elonkorjaajat (Harvesters): Todelliset valheet/Real lies. The group is presented as a politically neutral co-operation group whose mission is to broaden the concept of art and update the expression of Finnish visual arts. The art gallery Halvat Huvit (Cheap Thrills) is founded for the group's exhibitions.

1971
* First solo exhibition in Cheap Thrills. The title of the exhibition and the series of works in conjunction with it, Aus die Patologischen Schizzenbücher, is a variation on Pädagogisches Schizzenbuch by Paul Klee.

1972–73
* Trip to the Sudan with a group of artists and journalists.

1973
* Second solo exhibition Afrikasta ikuisuuteen (From Africa to Eternity) at Cheap Thrills.
* Works nightshifts as an offset typesetter.
* Takes part in the Milan festival of contemporary music with a composition on audio tape, Banjo piece for Good Looking Frankenstein.

1974
* Third solo exhibition, Kolme pyramiidia ja sfinksi (Three Pyramids and the Sphinx) at Cheap Thrills.
* Enters a relationship with Kaija Saariaho.
* Together with Elonkorjaajat participates in the summer exhibition Ars in Hyvinkää.

1976
* Last solo exhibition at Cheap Thrills: Olli Lyytikäinen on kynä, totuus ja paperi: piirustuksia vuosilta 1968–76 (Pen, Paper and the Truth: drawings from 1968–76).
* Selected to participate in the Attualitá 1972–76 (International Events) section at the Venice Biennale.
* Takes part in the exhibition Tajunnan tarroja, Elonkorjaajat esiintyvät (Mental stickers, Harvesters on show) at the Amos Anderson museum, which receives mixed criticism.

1977
* Exhibition Ankkalinnan museon kokoelmat (The Collection of the Duckburg Museum) in Stockholm. Moderna Museet acquires the works for its own collections. The series includes 27 different versions of comic figures: Donald Duck, Goofy and Zeke the Wolf transformed into grotesque figures.

1979
* A devastating fire in the studio destroys 500–4000 works (depending on the method of counting); the ensuing legal process takes years.
* Works saved from the fire are shown in the exhibition Tuhkaa ja timantteja (Ashes and Diamonds). Esa-Pekka Salonen plays the French horn at the vernissage.
* Olli and Kaija split up.

1980
* Ollis brother Markku drowns in the summer. Shocked by the event, Olli is not able to attend the funeral.

1981
* Teaches photography at the University of Industrial Arts 1981–82.

1982
* The exhibition Sleeping Beauty - art now, Scandinavia Today opens in September at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. Pontus Hultén has selected Lyytikäinen and Paul Osipow to represent Finland.

1983
* Writes in his diary on 29 March: ”I often look at my hands and wonder what poisonous blood keeps me alive. I should leave off the booze, but I don't know how to do it without going to hospital, and that I don't want.”

1984
* Solo exhibition at Galerie Kaj Forsblom, Helsinki.
* In August begins to take driving lessons but doesn't follow them through.

1986
* Finnish representative at the XLII Venice Biennale with Silja Rantanen and Osmo Valtonen.
* Diary entry on 16 September: ”I've been trying to think about a place where I can rest and start afresh – unless it's too late.”

1987
* On 9 January found dead in his flat in Suvilahdenkatu, the phone off the hook.

Olli Lyytikäinen: It's all yours
Fifth and 4th floor, 30 September 2000 – 14 January 2001

These biographical data are taken from an article compiled by Leevi Haapala, printed in the catalogue published in conjunction with the exhibition.