17 June–3 September 2017
At Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, Värmdö.
Dragonfish and urn, Farsta stoneware, plates Pyro and “dinner service for the working class”.
The images above: Jug,model WB, with décor Spaljé, Bowl, Cintra, Bowl Argenta, Faiance plate, Dragon.
Wilhelm Kåge started out as a graphic designer and illustrator specialising in poster art. At the Gustavsberg porcelain works, he applied his design skills to ceramic modelling and decorating, soon mastering the use of clay as a material and an artistic medium. His creations ranged from dinner services and other mass-produced items to unique art pieces with exclusive glazes. The exhibition highlights selected parts of this diverse oeuvre, including faience earthenware, the Argenta series, Farsta stoneware and works by the KAPA partnership (Kåge, Alskog, Pettersson, Arvidsson). Material and glaze samples as well as examples of Kåge’s work as a visual artist are also on show.
The exhibition focuses in particular on the Liljeblå “dinner service for the working class”, which celebrates its centenary this year, having been launched at the 1917 homeware exhibition at the Liljevalchs art gallery in Stockholm. Photos and archive materials provide a snapshot of what life was like for the Gustavsberg workers. Although the Liljeblå dinner service was designed with them in mind, why did they not buy it?
In 1942 Wilhelm Kåge teamed up with a younger colleague, Stig Lindberg, to create G-studion, a goldmine of experimentation where artists could give free rein to their artistic expression under the auspices of the Gustavsberg works. Kåge himself created Farsta-ware, a series of high-fired stoneware pieces in which he explored the possibilities offered by different clays, decorative techniques and glazes.
My Kåge
Part of the exhibition features pieces by Wilhelm Kåge from the Nationalmuseum collection, chosen by eight people who have a connection in one way or another with Kåge and his art. They have then interpreted these pieces in words, images or artworks of their own. The My Kåge project presents Kåge’s art through different voices, showing that it remains highly relevant today.
Free admission
Free admission for all.
Please note, free admission do not apply to the ceramic workshop.
Opening Hours
Tuesday–Friday 11–17, Saturday and Sunday 11–16, Monday closed.
Closed Friday 23–Saturday 24 June.
Find your way to Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum
The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum is in Gustavsberg on the island of Värmdö, east of Stockholm.
More abot how to find your way to the museum
Opening of the exhibition
Saturday 17 June, 11–16
13:00 Welcome speach by Berndt Arell, Director General of Nationalmuseum, Inauguration speaches by Marika Bogren, curator, and Christina Kåge.
Guided tours
Tuesdays at 13 and Wednesdays at 15 (in Swedish)
