Eino Ruutsalo
A pioneer in Finnish visual and kinetic art
Eino Ruutsalo (1921–2001) was a Finnish visual artist and filmmaker known for his experimental and reformist approach to art and cinema. He played a significant role in Finnish modernist and avant-garde movements, blending painting, photography, and film.
Ruutsalo’s innovative short films and animations explored abstract forms, movement, and rhythm. Beyond filmmaking, he was a celebrated painter whose works were exhibited internationally. Ruutsalo’s creative vision continues to inspire contemporary artists in Finland and beyond.
Eino Ruutsalo was born in Finland in 2001. After having served in WW2 as a pilot in the Finnish military he went on to pursue a career in art. Ruutsalo moved to New York City to study art in Parsons School of Design in 1949. He would later return back to his native Finland and settled down in Helsinki with his wife and children.
Ruutsalo continued to have a successfull career in art and passed away in 2001. This website is maintained by Ruutsalo’s children.