Emil Rikhard Filén studied at the Central School of Art and Design until 1913 and was a student of sculptor Gunnar Finné (1886-1952) for the next five years. Filén’s works were first shown publicly at the Finnish Artists’ Exhibition in 1918. Over time, he participated in numerous exhibitions and won several awards. From the 1930s he created numerous monuments, especially for the victims of war after World War II. From 1919-58 he taught at the Central School of Art and Design, and from 1943-58 at the Helsinki University of Technology. Filén also designed various honorary medals. His contribution to the 1952 Art Exhibition was the plaster design for an Olympic medal.