Sweet 17: Swedish Designers Make Their American Debut

By Jessica Cumberbatch (Subscribe to Jessica Cumberbatch's posts)
Nov 24th 2009 11:06AM

Swedish talents converge at the CIA to flex their design chops. Photo: The Cleveland Institute of Art

If your knowledge of Swedish design begins and ends with IKEA, then this one's for you. The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) opened "17 Swedish Designers" recently, an exhibition that showcases the work of 17 female design pros from Sweden. On display at the CIA's Reinberger Galleries are more than 60 examples of high design by the Swedish style-makers (some of whom have actually designed items for IKEA), including furniture, textiles and works in glass, ceramic, wood, steel and other materials. "Collectively, these pieces highlight the contributions of 17 Swedish women to modern design," the CIA says.

All of the women have gotten their due credit overseas, having been featured at the renowned Galerie Pascale Cottard-Olsson, Sweden's only gallery devoted exclusively to design. But this traveling exhibition -- which is slated to hit Minneapolis, Chicago, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. between now and 2011 -- marks the designers' North American debut and my whirlwind love affair with all things swede.

Take a peek at some of their works, after the jump.

Designer Anna Kraitz's "Beatrix 2" chair is named after her daughter, who was born the same year the collection was designed.

Leather and chrome "Perfo" benches by designer Anika Gneib, a British-born, Sweden-based designer who also co-owns the design firm DAPstockholm.

Eva Schildt's traditional meets organic meets playful designs, like this "Mary P" umbrella stand, have been commissioned by retailers from Design House Stockholm to IKEA.

Anna Von Schewen has also turned out work for IKEA along with pieces, like this "Merry" candleholder, for contemporary furniture makers Gärsnäs and others.