Kulturista - Cultural Experiences in West Sweden

C U LT U R E E X P E R I E N C E S I N W E S T S W E D E N 19 The Rörstrand Designer Inspired by Kinnekulle’s Beauty Pia Törnell is a designer for Rörstrand and the creator of many well-known objects that have gone on to become modern-day design classics. The idea of working in West Sweden was something that really appealed to Törnell. So much so that she left her home town of Stockholm to live at Kinnekulle. T E X T J O H A N W E T T E R B E R G “If I were to choose my favourite pieces produced here at Studio Kinnekulle, they would be Arcus and Cirrus. They’ve been around a long time now and have become Studio Kinnekulle classics,” she says. C A N D L E S T I C K D E S I G N E D E S P E C I A L LY F O R C H U R C H E X H I B I T I O N Törnell created the Arcus candlestick for an exhibition held inside a church. Its design reflects the physical architecture of the exhibi- tion space and was inspired by the church’s vault, hence the name Arcus, meaning “arch” in Latin. The candle itself adds to the de- sign, becoming a vertical extension of the candlestick. Törnell came upon the idea for the Cirrus vase when she saw an image in a magazine of half-transparent slices of apple oriented to align with a central point. She experimented and Cirrus took on its final ceramic form as part of a degree project she completed while studying at Sweden’s largest university of arts, crafts and design, Konstfack. Törnell has contributed to a host of wonderful designs during her career, drawing inspiration from everything she sees and experiences. “The visual is very important to me when it comes to form, colour, proportions and moods, both in nature and in architecture. Even my own work can be self-inspiring at times, giving birth to new ideas. As far as utility goods are concerned, the inspiration can also lie in finding a clever functional solution to a problem,” she con- cludes. “There are a thousand delightful little spots in these parts. Both the natural and built environments around Kinnekulle are very distinctive. There are areas of limestone plain with sparse vegeta- tion, groves and plenty of broadleaved woodland, which, together with all the olden-day manor houses, estates and cottages, provide links to the past,” says Törnell. Törnell runs Studio Kinnekulle with her husband, Hans-Jörgen Lindquist. Together, the couple manufacture ceramic goods right in their own backyard, so to speak. O N E O F S W E D E N ’ S M O S T C E L E B R AT E D D E S I G N E R S Thanks to her ability to tame the ceramic material and create delicate, sensual and soft forms, Törnell has become one of Sweden’s most popular designers. Her artistic designs are also fea- tured in the public domain, such as at the Stockholm Institute of Education at Konradsberg and at the Hässelbygård metro station as well as in the café at Sweden’s national centre for architecture and design, ArkDes, no less. “Designing and manufacturing tiling for the café at what is now ArkDes is one of the greatest highlights of my career as a designer. They suit the café environment well and remain in good condi- tion,” she explains. Törnell has also provided unique ceramic pieces for display in a number of exhibitions, both national and international. Looking back on her years in the design field, she admits she has difficulty choosing just one creation as her personal favourite: