Yngve Ekström - A Study In Furniture Design
The 20th century home furnishings industry was dominated by Scandinavian design. Notable furniture (möbler) designers included Bruno Mathsson, Alvar Aalto, Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen. Yngve Ekström was a truly special Scandinavian designer and was born in the town of Hagafors in Smaland - a region of Sweden - in the year 1913.
The city of Hagafors in Sweden has a tradition of making furniture (möbler), which goes back a long time and a young Yngve Ekström was naturally drawn to an industry which was all around him. Like many Scandinavian designers, he not only studied the practice of wood crafting but also the theory of the evolution of the art through its history. He also studied aesthetics like painting and sculpture and these elements are reflected in his work.
In 1945 he and his bother Jerker founded Swedese, one of the most respected makers of modern furnishings in the world. He remained active in the company until his death, a career of more than forty years. Products from Swedese included elegant artistic pieces for the home, but the clean profiles and utilitarian construction also made their wares popular in upscale offices and business applications.
Possibly Ekström's most famous piece was the Lamino chair, first produced in the 1950's and still in production and popular now. The Lamino chair was actually named the best Swedish chair of the Twentieth Century by a Swedish design magazine in 1999 and received another significant award, the Design Innovation, by the I.M.M. in Cologne in 2003.
Looking at the chair from any angle provides views of its beautiful curves. A matching ottoman is often accompanies it. There are several options for wood for the frame and the upholstery. The chair can be designed to meet any taste or style. The versatility of the chairs and their simple lines and looks make even today's models sell for between two and three thousand dollars. Examples of earlier versions of the chair have sold for more.
At the head of his company until his death in 1988, Yngve Ekström continued to produce many legendary ideas. His style is very versatile and long lasting and ideas which were radical at first are now the main stays of good design, complimenting all kinds of decorating options (heminredning) and looking especially good with wooden floors.
Scandinavian design was a very big part of the 20th century home furnishings (heminredning) industry, and some names truly stand out. A young Swedish man quickly stood out; yngve ekström from Hagafors, in Sweden with a rich history of furniture (möbler) making. He studied wood crafting and design along with courses in art history, drawing, and sculpture allowing him to incorporate stylistic elements he learned in those classes into his work. He and his brother (Jerker) created Swedese in 1945. He continued to be active in the company until he passed away, leaving a career that spanned more than forty years. If you would like a unique variant of this article to publish on your website go to http://www.contentspooling.net/public.php?id=164&a=2664
Published December 9th, 2007
Filed in Hobby
