Small talk: Ingrid Unsöld, Lundagatan
On a sunny autumn day in October, we visit ceramic artist Ingrid Unsöld in her studio on the charming Lundagatan, near Hornstull in Stockholm. In the small basement space, which she shares with a couple of other local ceramic artists, creativity fills the air.
She hasn't always worked with ceramics full-time, despite her passion for it dating back to her teenage years. Through art education at places like Nyckelviksskolan in Lidingö and The Royal Academy of Fine Art in Copenhagen, her knowledge and love for the craft grew. However, doubts arose about whether it was possible to make a living solely from wheel throwing. After taking a sabbatical year in New York, where she interned at a product design agency and had time for reflection, she ended up obtaining a degree in industrial design. She started working in interior design at an agency specializing in office spaces, while keeping ceramics as a hobby on the side.
We jump to March 2020 and a global pandemic that breaks out and takes everyone by storm. Working from home becomes a new reality for many, and the projects to furnish offices gradually fade away. For Ingrid, it becomes an opportunity to devote all her time, energy, and focus to wheel throwing and develop her hobby into what she has always dreamed of doing - her full-time job.
In the studio, she ramps up production and showcases her pieces in the large windows facing the street. Some passersby, including the founders of the popular blog and cookbook series Green Kitchen Stories, express interest in purchasing her creations. Her Instagram following grows, and more people start taking notice of her, including renowned ramen chef Tove Nilsson and Hedda Spendrup, who orders plates and dishes for the new brewery and restaurant, Omaka.
Through custom-made orders from restaurants and the many private customers who discover her on social media, Ingrid gets the opportunity to showcase her ceramics at Gubi's showroom at Norrmalmstorg during Stockholm Design Week in February 2021, which leads to attention in Elle Decoration. After that, things have been rolling, and Ingrid has been featured in both SVT's "Dreja – en kärlekshistoria" (Throwing – a Love Story) and in a major feature in Residence Magazine.
In her art, she draws inspiration from everything from architecture to children's shows, nature, and popular culture. Her works reflect a soft form - joyful, glossy, and colorful - where the expression stems from her upbringing and shows influences from shows like "Barbapapa" and "Fem myror är fler än fyra elefanter" (Five Ants Are More Than Four Elephants). Additionally, there is an architectural aspect that exhibits a more streamlined, elegant, and earthy side, where Japanese design and aesthetics contribute to her creations. The interest in buying and creating ceramic pieces has increased in recent years, which Ingrid sees as a response to many people having abstract, theoretical jobs that create a growing longing for creativity in their lives.
We thank Ingrid for the visit and continue to enjoy her versatile and distinctive ceramics.
Vi tackar Ingrid för besöket och fortsätter attnjuta av hennes mångsidiga & karaktäristiska keramik!
Small talk: Ingrid Unsöld, Lundagatan
On a sunny autumn day in October, we visit ceramic artist Ingrid Unsöld in her studio on the charming Lundagatan, near Hornstull in Stockholm. In the small basement space, which she shares with a couple of other local ceramic artists, creativity fills the air.
She hasn't always worked with ceramics full-time, despite her passion for it dating back to her teenage years. Through art education at institutions like Nyckelviksskolan in Lidingö and The Royal Academy of Fine Art in Copenhagen, her knowledge and love for the craft grew. However, doubts were simultaneously sown about whether it was possible to make a living solely from wheel throwing.
After taking a sabbatical year in New York, where she interned at a product design agency and had time for reflection, she instead pursued a degree in industrial design. She started working in interior design at an agency specializing in office spaces, while keeping ceramics as a hobby on the side.
We jump to March 2020 and a global pandemic that breaks out and takes everyone by storm. Working from home becomes a new reality for many, and the projects to furnish offices gradually fade away. For Ingrid, it becomes an opportunity to devote all her time, energy, and focus to wheel throwing and develop her hobby into what she has always dreamed of doing - her full-time job.
In her studio, she scales up production and displays her pieces in the large windows facing the street. Some passersby, including the founders of the popular blog and cookbook series Green Kitchen Stories, express interest in purchasing her works. Her Instagram following grows, and more people start taking notice of her, including renowned ramen chef Tove Nilsson and Hedda Spendrup, who orders plates and dishes for the new brewery and restaurant, Omaka.
Through custom-made orders from restaurants and numerous private customers who discover her on social media, Ingrid gets the opportunity to exhibit her ceramics at Gubi's showroom at Norrmalmstorg during Stockholm Design Week in February 2021. This exposure leads to attention from Elle Decoration. Since then, things have been rolling for Ingrid, and she has been featured in both SVT's "Dreja – en kärlekshistoria" (Throwing – a Love Story) and a major feature in Residence Magazine.
In her art, she finds inspiration in everything from architecture to children's shows, nature, and popular culture. Her creations reflect both a soft form – joyful, glossy, and colorful – influenced by her upbringing and children's programs like "Barbapapa" and "Fem myror är fler än fyra elefanter" (Five Ants Are More Than Four Elephants). They also showcase an architectural side, with a more sleek, elegant, earthy approach where Japanese design and aesthetics play a contributing role. The interest in buying and creating pottery has increased in recent years, which Ingrid sees as a response to many people having abstract, theoretical jobs that foster a growing longing for creativity in their lives.
We thank Ingrid for her visit and continue to enjoy her versatile and distinctive ceramics.
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