Matti Klenell Exhibition | 9 Factory Road

Exhibition August 21 to October 4, 2025

Swedish glass designer Matti Klenell presents his latest exhibition “9 Factory Road” at Galleri Glas, showcasing a remarkable collection of sculptural glass works created at the renowned Iittala glassworks in Finland.

Running from August 21 to ~~September 20~~, October 4, 2025, this exhibition represents a significant collaboration between Klenell and one of Scandinavia’s most prestigious glass manufacturers.

Multiple glass sculptures by Matti Klenell displayed in gallery setting showing varied forms and transparency

Klenell’s artistic journey has taken him across international borders, working with leading glass factories in the United States, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, and Sweden. Each location offers unique traditions and techniques, contributing to his evolving understanding of glass as a medium. This nomadic approach to creation has become central to his artistic philosophy, where the outsider’s perspective provides creative freedom from domestic expectations.

The title “9 Factory Road” pays homage to the physical address of Iittala’s glassworks, emphasizing the crucial role that place and craftmanship play in Klenell’s creative process. The designer carefully selects production locations based on their technical capabilities and cultural heritage, ensuring each piece reflects both his artistic vision and the factory’s specialized expertise.

Swedish glass designer Matti Klenell portrait with his contemporary glass sculptures from 9 Factory Road series

Iittala’s glassworks brings over a century of experience in producing demanding art glass through form-blowing techniques. The factory has previously collaborated with legendary designers including Alvar Aalto, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, and Oiva Toikka, establishing a tradition of excellence that continues with Klenell’s contemporary works.

The production process for “9 Factory Road” exemplifies collaborative craftsmanship, where master glassblowers contribute their specialized skills to realize Klenell’s sculptural concepts. This partnership between designer and craftsperson results in works that transcend individual authorship, creating pieces that could only exist through this specific collaboration at this particular location.

Gallery visitor viewing Matti Klenell glass sculptures in natural light at Galleri Glas contemporary exhibition

Klenell’s sculptures demonstrate his mastery of glass as both material and medium, pushing the boundaries of traditional glassmaking while respecting its heritage. The exhibition showcases works that emerge organically from his previous projects, each piece building upon accumulated knowledge from his international experiences.

The Galleri Glas exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to experience these unique sculptures in an intimate gallery setting, where the interplay of light and glass can be fully appreciated. Each work in the “9 Factory Road” series represents not just an individual sculpture, but a documentation of cultural exchange and technical innovation within contemporary Scandinavian design.

Matti Klenell 9 Factory Road glass sculpture exhibition at Galleri Glas showcasing Finnish glasswork collaboration