Kjell Engman, 'Borderland' (detail) from 'Granslandet' installation, 2002, blown, cast, cold-worked glass, diam 134cm
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Innovator in a Mythic Mode
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A contagious playfulness and a resolute commitment to narrative, spur Swedish artist Kjell Engman in his search for new avenues of expression in glass. Text by Earnest Reinfeld.
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Mythical Bird from 'Granslndet' glass installation, 2002
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SINCE 1978, Kjell Engman has been among the designers associated with Kosta Boda. He received his artistic education at Konstfackskolan, the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, between 1973 and 1978. He also attended the Pilchuck Glass School in the US during the summer of 1981. An accomplished draughtsman and a brilliant colourist, these talents have
undoubtedly played a large part in broadening his artistic
production and gaining international recognition.
Engman is also a dedicated and highly productive industrial
designer, currently responsible for a fifth of Kosta
Boda’s catalogue range. Since 1978 many of his designs
have been among perennial Kosta Boda favourites. Attention
to detail and a sheer love of the glassmaker’s craft
are important factors in his success. Since 1974 he has
participated in some 70 exhibitions and solo shows, half
of them outside Sweden.
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| In addition to his international exhibition program, he has received numerous public commissions. The work
he produced on graduating from the college – where he had actually studied ceramics – was made, perhaps pro-
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