Vicke Lindstrand

Vicke Lindstrand (1904 – 1983) was a multifaceted creative talent, who is celebrated for his painting and design abilities. He made an international name for himself not just within the textile and ceramic industry but also most notably within the art glass world.

Lindstrand’s work was largely undervalued during his lifetime – in fact, at one point his work was even rejected by the Design in Scandinavia exhibition committee. This attitude was largely due to Lindstrand’s tendency to courageously experiment with both glass and ceramics in an innovative way that at times diverged from Swedish mid-century trends.

In contrast, today the designer’s work is highly collectable. He is recognised as a pioneer of Swedish glass, celebrated for his technical innovation of the medium and his ground-breaking designs.

Lindstrand, who had begun his career as an illustrator before moving into glass, was first employed by Orrefors where he helped develop many techniques, including the Ariel whereby air bubbles are encased in coloured glass. Orrefors could not afford to keep Lindstrand on during the war and after a decade at the famous glassworks, he moved to ceramics at Uppsala-Ekeby. Rumour had it that his previous contract with Orrefors stated he wasn’t allowed to work in the glass industry for ten years after leaving.

Years later after his supposed exile from the glass industry, Lindstrand re-entered glass society and joined Kosta, where he created works of a similar style to those at Orrefors but with a greater sense of artistic freedom and vibrant colour pallet. He would work as Artistic Director for 23 years up until his retirement in 1973.