Harry Sandberg 1920-1985

Sven Harry Elis Sandberg was born in Själevad, Örnsköldsvik on 20th April 1920. He was a Swedish painter, sculptor and ceramicist.

Sandberg studied at the Konstfackskolan (University College of Arts, Crafts and Design), Stockholm (1944-46); worked as an intern (1946-1948) with the ceramicist Maggi Wibom (1899-1961) and then (in 1948) for three years under Wilhelm Kåge (1889-1960) at Gustavsberg's porcelain factory when he was their artistic director.

It was at Gustavsberg's that Sandberg met Kajsa Solveig Matilda Sandberg (1922-2013). They married in 1949 and started their own ceramics workshop in Karlstad the following year. They shared the workshop until the mid-1970s despite their separation in 1958.

In 1958, Sandberg was awarded the Värmland Museum's travel scholarship and travelled to Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and northern Norway to study art. From the early 1960s, Sandberg moved away from sculpture and ceramics to concentrate on painting.

Sandberg first exhibited in Karlstad (1949) - and again in 1952. Other exhibitions include Värmlands museum (1952, 1976); Galleri Brinken, Stockholm (1957); Galleri Gripen (1966-1969); Karlskoga Konsthall (1968) and Örnsköldsvik on four occasions between 1952 and 1978. Notable group exhibitions include annually at 'Unga Tecknare', Nationalmuseum, Stockholm (1947-1954), SAK - Sveriges Allmänna Konstförenings, Spring Salon, Stockholm (1954-1957), Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm (1958); Mölndals Stadshus (1955) and Värmlands Konstförening (Värmland Art Association) between 1951 and 1970.

Examples of Sandberg's works are held in the collections of the National Museum, Stockholm; Gustav VI Adolf's Collections, Värmland Museum and Karlstad County Collection.

Harry Sandberg died in Karlstad on 16th February 1985, aged 64.