Erik Höglund was a Swedish glass artist, painter, sculptor and graphic artist from Karlskrona, Sweden.
Chandelier by Erik Höglund, clubbed on Stockholms Auktionsverk Göteborg for 1 575 GBP.
From a young age, he harboured an interest in arts and crafts and began his studies at Konstfack in Stockholm when he was only 16. In 1953, when the manager of Boda Glassworks was in search of a young designer at Konstfack, Erik Höglund seized the opportunity, despite his limited experience in glass design. Through sheer determination and significant talent, he ultimately revolutionised the Swedish glass industry.
From Failure to Success in Glass Artistry
At Boda, Erik Höglund cultivated a unique design style characterised by robust, rustic objects in simple forms, lacking polished surfaces. He found inspiration in primitive cultures, and his creations often featured human and sculptural shapes with glass mass that included air bubbles—an unheard-of feature in glass art of that era.
Initially, Höglund faced challenges due to his innovative and unique style. His designs, starkly different from the successful glassworks of the early 1950s, caused frustration not only amongst his peers at the glassworks but also among retailers who complained about sluggish sales.
The breakthrough occurred in 1957 when he was awarded the prestigious Danish Lunning Prize. His designs then shattered sales records and became commonplace in Swedish households. A few years later, he also gained international acclaim, becoming popular in the US and beyond.
Elegant Combinations
Sculpture/vase in glas, "bull", Studioglas, Strömbergshyttan. Erik Höglund 1997.
Erik Höglund’s playful designs were noted for their rough, asymmetrical, and coloured glass, often in a bubbly glass mass, and frequently depicted figures such as faces or bulls. He regularly paired coarse glass with entirely different materials, such as iron. Today, some of his most celebrated pieces include his ironwork chandeliers and candlesticks with medallion-like glass decorations, which command high prices at auction.
A Multifaceted Designer
Erik Höglund’s artistic endeavours extended beyond glass art. After leaving Boda in 1973, he established his own forge, producing sculptures and numerous public works in stone, bronze, plaster, and iron. He also crafted mirrors and some items of furniture, carved from pine with cut-out decorations.
In the 1980s, however, he revisited glass design and collaborated with several smaller glassworks. Among his most notable creations from this period are his vibrant and imposing glass animal heads for Strömbergshyttan, now highly coveted by collectors. More commonly encountered at auctions are his round or square ashtrays in green, brown, yellow, or turquoise glass.
Erik Höglund remained an active artist until his passing in 1998 and is today celebrated as one of Sweden’s most distinguished glass artists. His works are displayed worldwide, with a significant collection housed at the Blekinge Museum in Karlskrona.