Lisa Larson

Lisa Larson was born in 1931 in Härlunda (south of Sweden) and was a creative go-getter from childhood. She was encouraged by her dad (sawmill owner by trade and art lover by choice) to pursue her interests, painting, designing clothes and carving wooden figurines from a young age.

Originally wanting to go into fashion design (interestingly, it was her sister Titti Wrange that ended up pursuing this path) she changed her mind after beginning a ceramics program in Gothenburg. After five years of study, Larson submitted a vase into a Scandinavian art competition, won, and was offered a one-year trial at Gustavsberg’s porcelain factory.

Impressed with her skills, Gustavsberg hired her, and she ended up becoming one of its most prominent designers. Her series of modernist figurines of cats (she was a massive cat lover) and other animals later became part of the hugely popular “Small Zoo” series. During the 60s and 70s, she also designed various wall plates – particularly iconic are the “Unik” series, comprising nine textured quadratic wall plaques featuring animal and plant motifs.

In 1992, Lisa Larson, Franco Nicolosi, and Siv Solin founded the Ceramic Studio in Gustavsberg. This new venture put her on the map, particularly in Japan, where her sculptures, plaques and pottery continue to be hugely popular. Today, more than half of the Ceramic Studio’s entire output goes to Japan.

Throughout her career, Larson was also involved in various charity projects, the most famous of which is her series “Children of the World” which she designed in 1974–1975. These figurines were hugely successful and part proceeds from the venture were donated to UNICEF (UN’s Children’s Fund).

Larson passed away a month ago in March 2024 in Nacka, Sweden, and was survived by her husband (the equally influential Swedish designer and artist, Gunnar Larson.)