Kjell Engman

Exclusive UK Exhibition for Norwich Gallery

A leading independent Norwich gallery is to host the first significant solo exhibition in the UK by internationally renowned Swedish art glass designer Kjell Engman. The exhibition runs from 18 May to 28 June 2019 at Gallery in the Lanes, Bedford Street, Norwich.

Now in his 73rd year and something of a legendary figure within the Swedish glass industry, it’s hard to believe that Engman has never had a solo show in the UK before. He has designed for Kosta Boda, one of the world’s leading brands of glassware and art glass, since 1978. His work is avidly collected by fans around the world and he has an established reputation within the UK art glass market.

Engman’s style is distinctive, bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. Figurative, fantastical and frequently witty, the stunning blown glass art works reflect his love of music and the natural world.  He’s also known for his trophy designs, the most famous of which is the Eurovision Song Contest trophy made from solid transparent glass in the style of a classic microphone.



Gallery Director Louisa Milsome said, ‘Everyone knows about Sweden’s biggest exports – Abba, Ikea and Volvo – but it’s less well known generally that they are also the absolute best in the world in crystal glass blowing and art glass, and Kosta Boda is a leader in that field.  As a gallery that specialises in glass we really want to share our passion with more people, and to have someone of the status of Kjell Engman exhibiting here in Norwich is a real coup and a great honour – and is just so exciting’.

The exhibition will feature around thirty art works, all for sale, including new pieces made especially for the show. Engman will be making a rare trip outside his homeland to come to Norwich for the exhibition set up and preview.

Listings Information

Kjell Engman 

Exhibition of stunning hand-blown glass art work by
Sweden’s leading designer.

18 May – 28 June

Gallery in the Lanes,
Bedford Street,
Norwich, NR2 1AG

www.galleryinthelanes.co.uk 

FREE

Open:
Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm,
Sunday 11am – 4pm

Gallery in the Lanes in Norwich is part of parent company Riverside Art and Glass Ltd which was established in 2012. The company is a leading player in the county’s arts and culture sector. Gallery in the Lanes shows a wide range of art from local, national and international artists, specialising in glass but also exhibiting paintings, prints, ceramics, wood, jewellery and furniture. 

www.riversideartandglass.co.uk 

Kjell Engman was born in 1946 in Stockholm and studied at Konstfack in Stockholm (Sweden’s largest college of arts, crafts and design) and Pilchuck glass school in Stanwood, Washington, USA. In recent years he has survived three heart attacks yet still retains his energy and dynamism, continuing to work in his studio at Kosta Boda’s glassworks in Småland. 

www.kjellengman.com 

Based in the Kingdom of Crystal, in heart of the forests in the Swedish province of Småland ever since 1742 Kosta Boda is the country’s oldest working glassworks. Fusing technology and a specialist understanding of glass, their glassware is vibrant, bold, innovative and provocative. It is admired and treasured by a broad public internationally. 

www.kostaboda.com