The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum
Fragile beauty
Gustavsberg, Sweden
2021
The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum is a ceramics treasure trove, now part of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum. A cornerstone in the museum's operations is the extensive Gustavsberg Collection, donated to the nation by the Swedish Cooperative Union in 2000 and now cared for by Nationalmuseum.
Units
22
The newly renovated museum hosts exhibitions that explore the history of Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory, founded in 1825. The factory was active for more than 170 years, producing over 45,000 objects before it closed in 1993. New galleries reveal stories of the objects that were created, the people who were active there – by 1900 it employed more than 800 people –and the role that the factory came to play in Swedish society.
Approximately 2,000 objects are presented in colorfully staged exhibits based on various themes. Visitors can experience everything from studio-created objects d’art and splendid urns to well-known porcelain services and earlier sanitary products, plus enamel and plastic objects.
The first temporary exhibition to be presented following the museum’s renovation is by Lisa Larson – perhaps Sweden's most famous ceramicist. Larson’s figurines are certainly the most popular; her Advent children and cats adorn many homes. The exhibition comprises approximately 200 objects, most of which date from 1954–1980, when the artist was employed by the Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory.
The exhibition aims to show the craft and process behind Larson’s unique objects and series – from inspiration to production. It is hoped that this exhibition will help to highlight lesser-known aspects of Lisa Larson's extensive work.
Based on a concept by the National Museum of Stockholm Design department, Goppion has created 22 small, vertical, wall-mounted and free-standing display cases. These are characterized by a simple linear design, with interiors referencing the shades of the plaster in the different rooms. The display cases assure high levels of security, thanks to the use of special glass panels. They are also equipped with a passive system to control relative humidity, by means of silica gel housed in a special compartment in the base, which allows checks and replacement without the need to open the display compartment.
The wall cases are equipped with an ‘intelligent’ system for the control and adjustment of LED lights via Bluetooth, thanks to an app developed by Goppion.
The project is closely connected with the National Museum of Stockholm, where Goppion realized similar showcases in 2018.
The main challenge for Goppion at Gustavsberg was working with the constraints of the heritage building. Consequently all showcases were assembled directly inside the galleries.
The completed suite of showcases now displays some of the finest examples of Gustavberg’s rich legacy of art and industry – a celebration of beauty, craftsmanship and nostalgia.
