OLLE OHLSSON
Silver artist and Silversmith

Olle Ohlsson is a designer who is not taking "usability" into account or adjust his design to rational rules. His work in silver and gold shows that playfullness is often in evidence.
A look through Olle Ohlsson´s many fantastic objects shows that he nearly always uses the raised vessel as his base. Already in the 1960s he discovered that turning a bowl uppside down results in a head. The same simple principle applies to most of the hats. They are bowls that have been endowed with a special kind of life.

Looking at Olle Ohlsson´s art, ranging as it does from unconscious extravagance to everyday simplicity, it strikes me that he is really looking for the object´s innate mysteriousness.
The material tranforms things into something else than what they appear to be when he plays with proportions and meanings and provides the careful observer with constant suprises. Often with enigmatic undertones that invite different interpretations.

There is no book of rules for a creative silversmith," says Olle. "One must give oneself time to listen to what the silver wants, how it replies to the hammer´s language. As for myself, I am never so much at ease as when I have silver under my hands. There is something mysterious about that."

(excerpts from the book "Silver & Gold", 1991)

 

Olle Ohlsson and Prince Rainier in Monte Carlo 1996


Sealion of silver with goldball of 123 people
1990 170x180x100

Stick handle of 18-carat gold and lapis lazuli. 1990


Golden ring with tourmalin and diamonds


Teapot, padauk handle and lid
1987 111x170x130