Lisa Larson

A visit to Lisa Larson's studio in Nacka, near central Stockholm, is a journey through Swedish design history. As a prolific designer for over 70 years, Lisa remained dedicated to her craft until the very end, tending to her beloved creations with the same care as if they were living companions. Her studio, filled with mock-ups, intricate sketches, finely carved miniature sculptures, and an array of her iconic figurines was a true testament to her enduring legacy. 

Her starkly colored flock of Birds first came about 1967 when she and her family visited the US and have finally been put in production many decades later. They are a testament to her delight in strong colors, clear graphic designs, and folklore, and also to a time of belief in peace and understanding.

After having completed her degree at HDK, the College of Crafts and Design in Gothenburg 1954, she was employed at Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory under the artistic director Stig Lindberg. "We showed our proposals two times a year, and they mostly wanted my figurines. I have always had my inspiration in my hands, I don't usually sketch or think too much before I start creating."

Her artwork made her a household name in Sweden already in the 50s, and also abroad especially in Japan where she had her first solo exhibition in 1981. Cats, politicians, angels, and many other inspirations has been masterly transformed into some 200 different figurines at Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory. Tired of being tied to one factory, she successfully started out as a freelancer in 1980 and expanded her craft to include household ceramics for a number of Swedish companies including Åhléns, Kooperativa Förbundet, and Rosenthal.