Anna-Lisa Thomson

1905-1952.

Ceramicist, painter.

Anna-Lisa Thomson studied at the Higher School of Industrial Arts in Stockholm between 1924-1928 and then in Italy, Austria, Prague and Dresden.

Between 1928 and 1933 she worked at the S:t Erik earthenware factory in Uppsala, designing tea sets in green glaze and ceramic objects with relief decoration. In the mid-1930s, Thomson came to Upsala Ekeby and worked there throughout her working life.

Thomson mainly created art objects in various ceramic materials with pure, often nature-inspired, decorative elements. Among his most famous works are the vase Paprika (1948), which was made in various shapes and sizes, and the urn Lancett (1949). Thomson is represented in the National Museum and in several other museums.

She also painted, and her works were often inspired by nature, with motifs from the west coast where she spent part of the year. Her book Eko av dagars ljusa klang (1953; Echo of the Bright Sound of Days ), with poems and illustrations by Anna-Lisa Thomson, was published posthumously.

 

Burial site: 0318-1310

Image description: Anna-Lisa Thomson with ceramics, Uppsala 1937, photo: Gunnar Sundgren / Upplandsmuseet. [The image is cropped]
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Mari Simmulson

1911-2000.

Ceramist.

Mari Simmulson was born in St. Petersburg to Estonian parents and trained as a sculptor at the Tallinn State Art Academy. In the 1930s she trained at the Finnish porcelain factory Arabia.

In 1944, Simmulson moved to Sweden and began working with Wilhelm Kåge at the Gustavsberg porcelain factory. Mari Simmulson worked at Gustavsberg until 1949 and then returned to Upsala Ekeby where her most remembered production was created.

Characteristic of Simmulson's art are imaginative, colorful and decorative figures, vases and reliefs as well as freely sculptural pieces, such as the "Balinese", which was quickly sold out and the "boy on the turtle", which was produced for many years.

Simmulson also carried out major decorative commissions, and several of her works are exhibited at Uppsala Konstmuseum.

"Mari Simmulson demonstrates the new collection of chamotte ware", Presenta AB, Östra Ågatan 39, Uppsala 1959. Photo: Uppsala-Bild / Upplandsmuseet.

Barrel made by Mari Simmulson around 1950. Square with rounded corners and sides. Earthenware with white bottom glaze and decoration in pastel colors. Photo: Olle Norling / Upplandsmuseet.

Burial site: 0406-0001 (Memorial grove in the Old Cemetery)

Image description: Mari Simmulson, Uppsala 1960. Photo: Uppsala-Bild / Upplandsmuseet. [The image is cropped]
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