Tapani Mikkonen was born in Joensuu, in 1952. He studied at the Orivesi College of Fine Arts (1973–1979), then at the Lahti School of Art (1974–1977) and attended the University of Art and Design in Helsinki (1978–1979).

At the outset of his career, Mikkonen’s favourite techniques were wood and linocuts, which he would develop into large-scale pictorial lithographs. These early works were inspired by his native region of North Karelia, as well as the art he saw during his travels: Spanish cave paintings, classic Japanese woodcuts and West African light and chromaticism.

Inspired by these encounters and experiments, he ended up revolutionising Finnish graphic art by incorporating monumentality and picturesque elements. Mikkonen’s works move on the borderline between abstract and the performing arts, so that whimsically drawn bouquets, a recognisable animal, human figure or pot emerge from the referential network of the artist’s recurring themes.

Mikkonen’s propensity for monumentality made him a popular candidate for public commissions and temporary public installations. His numerous contributions to public space include: Public works (1981); Great Wind, University of Helsinki, Ruskeasuo (1981); Interregnum I-V: Ars Longa, Vita Brevis, Embassy of Finland, Vienna (1984); Autumn, Mikaeli House, Mikkeli (1990); Puu, Kerava Sanatorium (1990); Notes, Lahti City Library (1997); Sounds of the Sea, Hotel Majvik, Kirkkonummi (1997); Voices of the Sea II, Helsinki (1997); Earth’s Wind, Restaurant Eliel, Helsinki (2001); Millennium Notes, Skanska Headquarters, Helsinki (2002); Light of Twilight, Embassy of Finland, Stockholm (2004); At the Edge of the Forest, Lyhty ry short-term accommodation and workshop, Helsinki (2004).

Mikkonen received the Finnish State Prize for Fine Arts in 2003. In 2008, Parvs publishing company produced a limited edition book with a print run of 100 copies signed by the artist.

The artist passed away in 2014.