Obituary: Talented artist Tiina Halonen lived two lives

Tiina Halonen, a graphic designer and animator, passed away in Helsinki on May 25, 2026, at the age of 78. Born in Helsinki in 1948, Halonen was the only child of Professor Pentti Halonen and interior architect Lilli Kolmijoki-Halonen. She graduated from the University of Art and Design Helsinki as a graphic designer in 1972.

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Tiina was a talented artist who maintained her childlike spirit until the end.

Beyond graphic design, Halonen contributed to animated films, including the Yle-produced series "Myttö ja vuodenajat," which was also sold internationally. Her final short films, "Satu R" and "Evankeliumi," were completed in 2008 and 2014, respectively. Tuomo Leino, co-writer and director of these films, mentioned that Halonen left an unfinished short film, "Passio," intended as her testament.

Halonen was celebrated for her talent and childlike spirit, which contributed to the popularity of the "Myttö" films. She drew her animations by hand, frame by frame, a time-consuming but preferred method. Her dedication to traditional animation techniques attracted art students eager to learn her methods, even as the practice became rare in Finland.

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She drew her animations by hand, one picture and movement at a time.

Kotka was Halonen's second home, where she inherited a courtyard property from her grandmother and mother. She fulfilled a long-held dream by constructing the Toritalo building on the site in 2019. Designed by architect Jani Prunnila, the building was a finalist for the prestigious Finlandia Prize for Architecture in 2020. Halonen cherished her unique courtyard, a hub for diverse people and stories, and was known for her vibrant conversations about art and her encouragement of creative projects.

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When Tiina worked on her last short films, the old-fashioned way of making animations was already so rare in Finland that groups of art students came to study her technique.

Halonen also valued cultural history, prioritizing the preservation and repair of old structures. Her property featured historical elements like old elevator gates and wood-burning stoves. Managing the large property was a responsibility she balanced with her art, finding great joy in Toritalo's realization but often feeling drained by its upkeep, which impacted her work. She found immense relief in returning to her drawing board in Helsinki. Though she never married or had children, she cultivated deep friendships and was a devoted godmother, showing genuine interest in the lives of children and young people. Her creative, sensitive, and warm nature will be missed by her wide circle of friends.

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Tiina valued originality. Conversations could last for hours at the coffee table, and the hostess only became more energized as the evening darkened.