Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass

Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass

Fluidity celebrates the achievements of undertold and unheard voices from within the Swedish and American glass art communities.

The exhibition includes a sensory-stirring installation of glass, light, liquid and sound by contemporary Swedish -American glass artist Jo Andersson, Being. The show will also feature a curated selection of glass art by unsung artists from the American Swedish Institute’s impressive glass collection—representing nearly 1000 objects and over 100 years of glass artistry—considered one of the finest collections of Swedish art glass outside the Nordic region. 

Fluidity will showcase objects from well-known artisans Ann Wolff (Warff) and Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors, and iconic designer Ulrica Hydman Vallien’s creations for Kosta Boda, alongside unsung artists Eva Englund, Monica Bratt, Monica Backstrom, Andrea Blum and Mona Morales Schildt. The artists featured have operated both under and outside the umbrella of Sweden’s glass studios like Orrefors and Kosta Boda are each in their own way challenging and shaping the glass industry in Sweden and around the world. Their work has paved the way for contemporary women glass artists and influenced the trajectory of the world-renowned Swedish glass industry. 

“We are thrilled to focus on artists who are underrecognized and overshadowed, as well as contemporary artists processing adversity, self-acceptance, and empowerment,” says Ingrid Nyholm-Lange, Director of Experience, ASI. “Fluidity invites visitors to become part of the community, to be present in the moment and to explore the pursuit of artistic expression in a challenging and complex medium — while experiencing gorgeous visuals of color, reflection and light.”

About the Artist

Artist Jo Andersson, who lives in Sweden and practices and teaches in the country’s Småland region, elaborates. “Being is an installation intended to bring individuals into the present moment, a safe space where viewers can lose themselves and fully experience my work as well as their responses to it. Each handblown Light Vessel is a tool for meditation, personal insight and contemplation — the shapes are inspired by the fluidity of glass which creates these organic, flowing forms. The vessels are filled with water to increase a feeling of magnitude as well as intensify their interactions with light.”

Ticket Prices

General admission, which offers access to all exhibitions on view, as well as the historic Turnblad Mansion, is priced as follows: Free for ASI members and children five and under. $6 for ages 6 to 18 and students of all ages. $12 for adults. $8 for seniors age 62 and over. Walk-up museum admission is available. Visitors are also welcome to register for museum admission in advance. Special events have individual pricing, see the ASI Events online for details.  

Museum Hours

Wednesday: 10am - 4pm

Thursday: 10am - 8pm

Friday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm


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