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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Willy Johansson

Willy Johansson (1921-1993) was a third generation Norwegian glass designer whose career spanned four decades. He was born in Jevnaker and trained at the National College of Art and Design. He began working at the Hadeland Glassworks in 1942 and was head designer by 1947. He remained with Hadeland until he retired in 1988.

Johansson is known for his simple, tight forms and a subdued harmonious use of color, as well as his wide range of products. Known as one of the artists who brought about a revival of unique Norwegian art glass, he also created inexpensive, utilitarian glass products for the home, as well as exclusive tableware.

He won numerous international awards for his designs, including a diploma at the Milan Triennale in 1954, a gold medal in 1957 for his Tone vases and bowls and a silver medal in 1960. Thirteen of his works received the Award for Design from 1966 to 1972, and a series of wine glasses called Rod received the Classic Award for Design Excellence in 2002. Along with Jacob Prytz, he received the Jacob Prize the first year it was awarded in 1957.

His work is represented in design museums around the world, such as the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, and he had numerous solo exhibitions.

From snl.no and no.wikipedia.org



Rod wine glass (Tangen in Norwegian)
hadeland-glassverk.no

Spiral vase
blomqvist.no

Crystal vases, bowl and lamp
1stdibs.com

Urn
deconet.com

Vases and bowl
epla.no

Vase
fulgen.no

Vase
lauritz.com

Covered jar
qxl.no

Frosted glass vase
utopiaretromodern.com

Bowls
wendelboe.no

Bottle
pafemtevaningen.com

Sommerso vase
freeformusa.com

Vase
utopiaretromodern.com

7 comments:

  1. Dana, Just gorgeous! What's not to love about glass. I've become more of a glass fan lately...leaning away from the ceramics. Looking at these works of art - I can see why!

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    1. Although I'm a real fan of ceramics, especially rough textured pottery, I'm also fascinated by glass.

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  2. What a great feature! I' m impressed that you know so much about an artist from my small country! I've always liked the Tangen glasses, they're so simple and elegant. They still sell really well over here. The art glass is gorgeous....

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    1. I'll confess that information about him was somewhat difficult to find, and I never found a photo of him. The Tangen glasses are beautiful and timeless. I can understand why they have been in production for so long.

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  3. I'm becoming a glass fan too, It must be your posts Dana!

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    1. I think that's what's so great about our sharing information and photos on our blogs. You have reintroduced me to macrame, and I am loving it as much as I did when I was much younger.

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  4. I hope you know that not al the items above is made by Willy!? :)

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