Jan Johansson – The Glass Artist and Silversmith
Jan Johansson (1942–2018) was one of Sweden’s most prominent glass and silver artists, known for his work at Orrefors and his own artistic projects. With his precision in glass and sensitivity to light, he created timeless and elegant design pieces that are still in demand and admired. Throughout his long career, he designed iconic works such as the “Street” series, “Fleur,” and the altar sculpture “Golgata – Christ’s Crown of Thorns” in Linköping Cathedral. His work was characterized by a perfect balance between function and aesthetics, making him a legend in Swedish glass art.
Jan Johansson
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Jan Johansson’s Early Life and Education
Jan Johansson was born in 1942 in Sweden and grew up in an artistic family. His father, Helge Johansson, was a sculptor and teacher at Konstfack, where Jan also studied silversmithing. During his time at Konstfack, he developed a unique sense of form and material, which laid the foundation for his future career.
After his studies, he briefly worked in industrial design at AGA in Stockholm before being recruited in 1969 to Orrefors Glassworks, where he became one of the most influential designers.
Jan Johansson’s Career at Orrefors
During his nearly 30 years at Orrefors (1969–1998), Jan Johansson left a significant mark on the development of Swedish glass. His designs were characterized by clean lines, elegant cutting, and a masterful play of light and shadow.
Some of his most famous glassworks include:
- Street (2006) – an elegant barware series inspired by New York’s street grid, featuring deep cuts in a grid pattern.
- Fleur – a bowl series with characteristic floral shapes and softly faceted edges.
- Marin – a series with distinct ribbed cuts, inspired by the movement of the sea.
Johansson also worked with the advanced Ariel technique, encapsulating air bubbles and patterns in crystal, further cementing his reputation as an innovator in glass art.
Jan Johansson as an Independent Artist
After leaving Orrefors in 1998, Jan Johansson continued to work in glass design, often in collaboration with his wife, Berit Johansson. Together, they ran Johansson Art Design AB, creating unique art pieces and special commissions.
One of his most significant artworks from this period is the altar sculpture “Golgata – Christ’s Crown of Thorns”, installed in Linköping Cathedral in 2004. The sculpture consists of fifteen crystal blocks with an enclosed crown of thorns in colored glass – a striking and spiritual artwork praised for its symbolic power and technical skill.
Jan Johansson’s Legacy and Influence
Jan Johansson’s works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally and are featured in several museums, including the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and the Corning Museum of Glass in the USA. His designs remain timeless, and particularly the “Street” series continues to be a best-seller.
His philosophy was simple yet powerful: “I want to control the light. If the light goes out, the glass dies.” This perspective permeated everything he created, from functional utility objects to grand artistic pieces.
With a career spanning over five decades, Jan Johansson has cemented his place as one of the greatest Swedish glass designers of all time. His legacy lives on in his beautiful, light-infused creations, which continue to fascinate and inspire new generations of designers and art collectors.