Ingrid Atterberg

Ingrid Atterberg is one of the best known artists of 20th century Swedish ceramic design. She was one of the three leading designers for the Upsala-Ekeby pottery house in the 1950s and 1960s. Her work is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.

INGRID ATTERBERG (1920-2008)

Ingrid Atterberg is one of the best known artists of 20th century Swedish ceramic design. She was one of the three leading designers for the Upsala-Ekeby pottery house in the 1950s and 1960s. Her work is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.

Ingrid constantly experimented with glazes and techniques. Her austere, bold designs of ornamental pieces and everyday goods led to significant artistic and commercial success. During Ingrid’s time at Upsala-Ekeby, (1943-1963), she produced over 100 collections.

In 1956, Atterberg released three acclaimed series which are best described as abstract art. The series were produced in editions of only 50 to 100 copies.

The “Chamotte” series was produced by spreading burned, crushed clay on finished stoneware. The rough surface provided a strong contrast against the pure modernist forms.

Fascination with foreign cultures were typical of the day and influenced Ingrid Atterberg’s artistic output. This stylistic interest is revealed through her forms and patterning techniques. Ingrid’s etched series from 1953 is a fine example, produced with dark manganese clay incised with a graphic white patterning and glazed interiors.

After Ingrid Atterberg ended her tenure at Upsala-Ekeby, she embarked into consulting for businesses and producing work in her own studio. The most remarkable work from this period was her experiments with glazes and cracked clay.