Form-giver Ingegerd Råman

Today is about Sweden’s leading designer “Ingegerd Råman”, her exhibition is held at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo Crafts Gallery until 2018.9.14 – 12.9.

Generally she is known as “designer” or “ceramist”, but she calls herself not “ceramist” but “potter“, not “designer” but “form-giver“.

This is because she does not regard her creations as self-expression but is more aware of her craftsmanship, which is obliged to create vessels for everyday use. The term “designer” in Swedish is “formgivare (form-giver)“, but the term has more specificity in its meaning-to give a form to something, the presence of an object.

Until then, I had no chance to see her work well so that I would like to write an honest feeling I felt watching the work without prior information because I think the purity is higher.

The work appeared in everyday scenes such as black and white pottery (tea service set), various forms of glasses and dishes, vase made of glass, rattan’s basket, silver dishes, cutlery etc.

First, about black and white pottery.
I found simple and lean form, but not the cold impression, gentleness thought of the person who uses it and sophisticated impression. And those of white and black remind Sweden’s winter landscape. A quiet and quiet world where there are only white and black such as it covers white on one side, and there are places where black groves stand side by side.

“Life” shines at a stretch by arranging green, red, yellow vegetables on such a quiet table of black and white. Its contrast is very beautiful, I thought she created her work imagining the pleasure and richness of the people who surround the table.

Next is about glass work.
I understand very well why she calls herself “Form-giver”. Numerous works that make it impossible to understand the boundary between air and glass, like taking scoops from the air. Its forms are very beautiful and elegant as if they melt in the air. Moreover, I think that it is described as timeless because people find relief and respect for the natural beauty universally possessed by people in her work.

Also, the appearance of dishes that different sizes are stacked quadruple is like the name of the work “Pond”, so the ripple spreads over the quiet water surface. And even the shadow extending from the lighted up glass reminds me of a beautiful scenery like ripples spreading many times.

Besides tableware in a glass work, vases were also impressive. Vases with complicated cut were very luxurious. I did not get tired of watching because the expression changes with how the light hits. Moreover, what kind of look like will they if they are hit by sunlight and what kind of expression will they change when inserting colorful flowers, they inspire me such imagination.

And there were vases with simple line patterns drawn on a glass with a beautiful borderlines. They are very delicate and gentle impressions. The patterns thin lines weave are organic and you can feel warmth of person who drew them.

Many of the exhibits are dishes, glasses, cutlery, vases, but it was also nice to have unique shapes appearing at places. For example, the tea spa made of silver is like a rounded form of two leaves, it is simple and cute, but also functional, and the scenery where green tea leaves were placed is also beautiful. And, the appearance of some white and small ceramics like waterdrops arranged in the table is like acorns fell in the forest, and I felt fun and playful spirit that makes me smile unexpectedly.

Also, I found high quality play and refinement in two works: the size and form are the same but some of them are painted on gold black pottery (small bowls) series, and a cognac · balloon · glass that the bottom of the glass is raised like a small mountain and only the small mountain part is gold. And I felt goodness of taste like stunning balance of tradition and modernity in the basket using the rattan of Vietnam.

I feel like tightening in a world where is described in such words simple, timeless, solemn. However, I was attracted to the unexpected work suddenly appearing, and they make my heart relax with the pretty and playful spirit. I think the exquisite balance leads to richness and it has become a charm of her work.

The exhibition design with the story is wonderful as well as the work itself. Furthermore, I was able to have a wonderful time because everything the trapping of work is exactly in harmony, the building of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo Crafts Gallery designated as an important cultural property (Red bricks built in 1910 as Household Division Headquarters building), the view can be seen from the window because there is also the neighbor of the Imperial Palace, and a quiet early autumn with a light rain.

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Ingegerd Råman who gives “freedom to imagine” like this. I am happy to meet such a wonderful person and her work.
I tried frankly what I felt through this exhibition.

I hope that more people touch her works through my blog.
*Many works are forbidden to shoot, so please come and visit the real thing

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*Today’s main image is from IKEA.com