Lotta Kvist

Porcelain maker

©Axel Agust Cicero Group

Nordic nature

Lotta’s signature works are ceramic hares
Her ceramics take inspiration from Nordic nature
She finishes her ceramics with crystalline glazes

Lotta Kvist is a ceramicist from Malmö, nowadays based in northern Sweden, where she runs a ceramic workshop equipped with two throwing wheels and two kilns. As she says, “It’s a small workshop, but it works perfectly for me”. There, she follows all the process; from designing to glazing the ceramics she creates. A self-taught artisan, the first handcrafted object she produced “was a hand pinched little bowl. I let it dry and then oil-painted it in the garage. That happened 50 years ago, and after all that time, my mother still has it”. Since then, Lotta has perfected her artisan skills by taking classes and attending courses, both in Sweden and abroad.

Interview

©Axel Agust Cicero Group

Do you have a mentor?: Well, he wasn’t exactly my mentor, but I was inspired by a master in ceramics. Yngve Lundell was my art teacher at school. He was more of a ‘traditional’ artist/sculptor, but he introduced me into this world. You can see some of his bronze sculptures in Malmö.
How does your style reflect your homeland?: Northern Sweden is covered with snow and ice in winter, while in summer it becomes a verdant green. In that way, it’s very simple and clean. I try to keep my design like that: minimalistic, simple and clean.
Do you have a preference in colours and subject?: Animals in general, but especially hares have become one of my hallmarks. I am fascinated by their way of dealing with the environment, the changing colour of their fur according to the season. I often glaze ceramics with bright colours that remind me of nature.
How do you create your handcrafted ceramics?: I sculpt many of my creations using the traditional technique of the throwing wheel. The result can be very rustic, but I usually throw thin and elegant objects or double-walled forms that give the items an organic look. I also make hand-built sculptures. Then I finish them with crystalline glaze which I learnt to master in Italy.

Lotta Kvist is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2010