This is a unique piece by Lisa Larson. The pose of her arms covering her forehead and her slightly pursed mouth conveys a quiet inner movement. Lisa is known for her adorable sculptures of animals and children, but here her expression, which moves back and forth between abstract and concrete, highlights the inner human themes of "listening, praying, and contemplation."
While inheriting the surrealist sensibility of his teacher Stig Lindberg, this work differs from mass-produced items in that it highlights the randomness and individual strength of handcrafted work.
The piece is made of chamotte stoneware. By kneading chamotte, which is made by crushing fired clay, into the clay, it combines a rough earthy texture with high strength. The surface is visible with finger marks and spatula strokes, and subtle coloring appears along the texture. The pale green bleeding on the body is a natural color created by the minerals in the clay reacting at high heat, creating a scene reminiscent of moss-covered stone. The fingertips have been carefully smoothed with a thin spatula, and the "empty face" - which can be interpreted as either sleepy or sullen - invites the viewer to interpret it.
The bottom is engraved with "LISA L 90," indicating that it was made in 1990, when Lisa Larson was 59 years old. The condition is very good and it retains the original style of the piece.
■Detailed specifications
Designer: Lisa Larson
Year: 1990 (estimated)
Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
It is in perfect condition, retaining its original appearance. The clay and glaze variations and pinholes that are inherent to the production process are part of the individuality of each piece.
■Size
Height 13cm, width 9.5cm, depth 13cm
Lisa Larson
Lisa Larson (1931-2024)
A world-renowned Swedish ceramicist, he was born in Härlunda, a village of about 500 people in the Älmhult district of Kronoberg county in the Småland region in southern Sweden.
As a child, she aspired to be a fashion designer, but after enrolling at the Gothenburg Academy of Art, she studied ceramics. One day, she was discovered by Stig Lindberg at a competition, and after a one-year probationary period, she officially joined Gustavsberg as a designer. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, she released the Lilla Zoo series, and in 1964, she came up with the Afrika series, famous for its lion statues.
Lisa Larson has not only worked for Gustavsberg, but has also provided designs for Höganäs, the major domestic retailer Åhléns, and the German ceramic manufacturer Rosenthal. After leaving Gustavsberg in 1979, she became a freelance artist, working on a voluntary basis with companies, rather than as an exclusive contractor, and continued to work freely in various fields. In 1979 and 1981, she held solo exhibitions at Seibu Department Store in Tokyo, and the 1981 exhibition was visited by a total of 70,000 people.
