Photographer unknown, ca. 1951
My father, Martti, was an artist and a teacher at the Central School for Arts and Crafts (Taideteollisuuskeskuskoulu) and later (after the school changed its name) a lecturer at the College of Industrial Arts and Crafts (Taideteollinen oppilaitos) until his retirement. He also designed numerous Ex Libris and was an expert in aesthetic lettering. He was primarily an artist, but he was also active in the professional association of graphic designers Ornamo. During the war 1941-1944, he was stationed at the Art Department of the Office of Home Front Headquarters (Kotijoukkojen esikunnan rovastintoimisto). At the headquarters, he met Lyyli Maria Parpola, my future mother, and they got married in 1951. ➔ Martti Aleksanteri at the age of 65 ➔ Martti Aleksanteri at the age of 11 days