A unique stoneware sculpture of a snail shell on a glazed base – Arabia Finland ca. 1980 1980 - 1989

Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist

PietraSmaltoGresDipingere
17 ⨯ 19 ⨯ 5 cm
ConditionVery good
€ 800

Van Kerkhoff Art

• A proposito di opere d'arte
  A unique unglazed incised stoneware sculpture of a spiral shell or snail shell on a glazed base.
  Sculpted by Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist for Arabia’s Art Department in the 1980s. The sculpture is signed underneath the base: Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist Arabia Finland. Similar sculptures are in the collection of the NationalMuseum Stockholm and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
  
  
  About Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist
  Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist (Espoo, Finland 1928 – Helsinki, Finland 2005)
  
  Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist, an esteemed Finnish artist, left an indelible mark on the world of ceramics with her exceptional talent and creative vision. Born in Espoo, Finland in 1928, Olin-Grönqvist embarked on a lifelong journey of artistic exploration that spanned several decades.
  
  Olin-Grönqvist’s artistic journey commenced at the Institute of Industrial Art, where she studied as a porcelain painter from 1948 to 1951. It was during this formative period that her passion for the craft was ignited, setting the stage for her illustrious career.
  
  From 1951 to 1992, Olin-Grönqvist dedicated her professional life to the iconic Arabia factory, where she made remarkable contributions in the Applied Art and Art Department. With unwavering dedication and a keen eye for detail, she meticulously designed various models and decoration types for mass production. Some notable creations include Valpuri, Fructus, Kosmos, Soraya, and Noah’s Ark, each bearing Olin-Grönqvist’s distinctive artistic signature.
  
  In her pursuit of excellence, Olin-Grönqvist employed a range of innovative techniques in her decorative work. Raw painting, vibrant colour glazes, and intricate engraving were her hallmarks, breathing life into her creations. Her designs often featured stylized animal, fruit, and plant motifs imbued with enchanting fairy-tale themes. Porcelein, faience, and stoneware served as her preferred mediums, each allowing her to unleash her artistic expression with grace and precision.
  
  In the later years of her career, Olin-Grönqvist shifted her focus to the Art Department, where she delved into the naturalistic portrayal of garden plants and sea-life. Her subjects ranged from meticulously rendered apples and onions to whimsical scenes depicting a chicken coop with a lurking fox. These works showcased her ability to capture the essence of nature with astonishing realism and artistic finesse.
  
  Among Olin-Grönqvist’s notable achievements is the iconic Tea for Two, Arabia’s first white stoneware tea service characterized by elegant, rounded forms. This exquisite design, a testament to her creative genius, solidified her position as a pioneer in the field of porcelain artistry.
  
  Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist’s contributions to the Finnish art scene are celebrated to this day. Her unwavering commitment to her craft and her ability to infuse life and enchantment into her creations continue to inspire artists and enthusiasts alike. Her legacy as a trailblazer in ceramics is a testament to her remarkable talent, leaving an indelible imprint on the annals of Finnish art history.
  
  
  Marked
  Incised underneath the base: Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist Arabia Finland
  
  Execution
  Arabia, Finland circa 1980
  
  Condition
  Very good original condition. No chips or cracks. Wear consistent with age and use.
  
  Literature
  Marianne Aav (ed.) Arabia: Ceramic, Art, Industry
  
  Dimensions
  Height 17,5 cm
  Width 19 cm
  Depth 5,4 cm
  Weight: 947 grams
• A proposito di opere artista

  Gunvor Olin-Grönqvist (1928-2005), nata a Espoo, in Finlandia, e successivamente residente a Helsinki, in Finlandia, ha dedicato il suo percorso formativo alla padronanza dell'arte della pittura su porcellana presso l'Institute of Industrial Art tra il 1948 e il 1951. Il suo straordinario percorso professionale dal 1951 al 1992, con sede nello stabilimento Arabia. Durante questo periodo, è stata attivamente impegnata nei dipartimenti di arte applicata e arte, oltre a partecipare a progetti su base di sovvenzione.

  Nell'ambito del dipartimento di design industriale, Olin-Grönqvist ha mostrato la sua abilità creativa concependo numerosi modelli e motivi decorativi destinati alla produzione di massa. Questi includevano design iconici come Valpuri, Fructus, Kosmos, Soraya e Nooakin arkki (l'Arca di Noè).

  Le sue tecniche artistiche distintive comprendevano tecniche come la pittura grezza, l'utilizzo di smalti colorati e l'intricata arte dell'incisione. I motivi dei suoi pezzi decorativi erano spesso ispirati da animali stilizzati, frutti, piante e intrisi di elementi di incanto fiabesco. La vasta gamma delle sue creazioni era prevalentemente realizzata con materiali in porcellana, maiolica e gres.

  Successivamente, quando è passata al dipartimento artistico, l'attenzione di Olin-Grönqvist si è spostata sulla rappresentazione meticolosa degli elementi naturalistici del giardino. Le sue opere d'arte mostravano rappresentazioni meticolosamente dettagliate di prodotti dell'orto, come mele e cipolle, oltre a scene affascinanti come un pollaio accompagnato da una volpe in agguato. In particolare, ha anche svolto un ruolo determinante nell'ideazione di "Tea for Two", un elegante servizio da tè in gres bianco che si distingue per le sue forme aggraziate e arrotondate. Questa creazione è stata una pietra miliare significativa in quanto ha segnato l'avventura inaugurale dell'Arabia nella produzione di un tale prodotto.

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