Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg
FRIEDEL HOLZER-KJELLBERG
Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg trained as a potter in Graz, Austria and moved to Finland in 1924 at the request of her sister. She started at Arabia Finland factory, where her first job was a large perforated bowl.
In 1939 and onwards, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg began to seriously perfect the rice porcelain she became know for. She drew inspiration from visiting museums where she became intrigued by the Chinese "rice porcelain" dating from the 18th century Chien Lung period. She also was deeply interested in glazing techniques. She experimented with the old recipes and descriptions to achieve paper thin and transparent results she desired. The labor to produce these pieces was intensive and required a team of 20 people to accomplish. The production of rice porcelain ran from 1939-1974.
Also characteristic of Fridel Holzer-Kjellberg were the copper and oxblood that she started making from the 1940s. Red oxblood and turquoise peacock colors were glazes that she herself mixed, often in collaboration with the laboratory manager at Arabia. There was also a small gas stove that was well suited for reduced firing, which helped to bring out these colors.
Holzer-Kjellberg's work was highly sought after during her time at Arabia. She made large barrels and bowls glazed in both oxblood red and cobalt blue. The finest copper-red bowls were often awarded as city gifts.
During the 46 years she was at Arabia, she worked tirelessly to produce her own works and to guide in a variety of languages in the museum that was in the factory and which had been founded by Kurt Ekholm. He unexpectedly moved to Gothenburg in 1948, which elevated Friedl Holzer-Kjellbetg to museum director.
Her work is in the collections of Victoria & Albert Museum London, Design Museum Helsinki, Rohska Museum, Goteborg, museums of Faenza and Amsterdam, Trondheim.
She was awarded numerous prizes and citations both home and abroad for her work which included Bryssel 1935 (Gold Medal), Milano Triennal 1954 (Gold Medal), Cannes 1955 (Gold Medal) and 1962 the Pro Finlandia medal for artistic achievements.
