All Swedish
Contemporary Swedish Ceramics and Glass at flow

24 September - 25 November 2004

All Swedish forms part of the Swedish season this autumn in London with a number of exhibitions taking place at the Crafts Council, The Museum of London and flow showcasing Swedish design and craft.

Flow is holding two Swedish Shows this autumn. All Swedish showing 6 established glassmakers and ceramicists from 24 September -25 November and Contemporary Swedish Jewellery from 18 November 2004 - 10 January 2005.

All Swedish examines the surface decoration as the current trend in Swedish contemporary glass and ceramics. The clean, minimalist forms of the last decade for which Scandinavian glass and ceramics is so well known have given way to experimentation with pattern, texture and colour in the most wonderful way.

Historical references abound in the work of Kina Björklund; decoration found in 18th century ceramics, old lace, antique brooches and old ironmongery (her sister is an antique dealer). Kina uses these" tools" to stamp her plates and bowls. They provide intricate patterns. She uses terracotta clay and white transparent glazes which look like icing on a cake.

Barbro Johansson makes baskets in stoneware and paper clay reflecting upon the ceramic tradition of lattice work, as well as some architectural forms of latticework in many of Stockholm's bridges and church spires. Her colour range is very subtle of pastel pinks, blues and primrose yellow, as well as white.

Ulrika Bratt designs and blows her own glass into transparent spheres some with openings to be used as vases. Using underlay and overlay techniques and then sandblasting to make white patterns either in
geometric or organic shapes. Inspiration is found in leaves and petals.

 Marie Beckaman handbuilds ridged bowls with double walls which give the pieces volume and a tactile quality.

Nilla Eneroth trained at the Orrefors Glass School. She will be showing a series of glasses with geometric patters as well as unique pieces in an installation entitled "Paintpots" with cylinders of various sizes and layers of colours. Some of the cylinders have two or three layers of colour. She strives to produce pieces which are calm, and have gentle forms.

Renata Francescon uses porcelain to create shallow bowls and platters with glazes reminiscent of cracked ice in subtle blues and greys.

Ulla Forsell is probably the most prominent artist in the exhibition. She started the studio glass movement in Sweden thirty years ago and was also instrumental in establishing a gallery/artists cooperative, Blas & Knoda, who helped curate this exhibition. Her current work explores the theme of memory and reflection on the past /fragments of memory through the use of rippled glass panels with mirror backing made by the traditional cylinder method. The cylinders and more functional objects will also be in the show.

For further information please contact Yvonna Demczynska, Sachiko Ewing or Louise Oakes on 0207 243 0782