- Anne Lofthus
Anne Lofthus (1932 – 2003)Norwegian ceramist, designer at the
Stavangerflint AS earthenware factory inStavanger , Norway.Biography
Born at the Lofthus Farm in the municipality of
Vinje inTelemark , and died in the municipality of Hemnes in Nordland County, Norway. From 1954 – 1958 she was educated as aceramist atThe Norwegian College of Applied Arts in Oslo, withJens von der Lippe as supervisor. She was employed at his ceramic workshop from 1958 to 1959. From 1959 to 1963 she was engaged as a designer at theStavangerflint AS earthenware factory inStavanger , Norway where she served as a member of the company´s artistic staff under the directorship ofKåre Berven Fjeldsaa . She left Stavangerflint in 1963 and in 1963/64 she continued education at The National School for Teaching of Woodwork and Drawing in Notodden, Norway In subsequent years she worked as a teacher, giving lessons inArts and Crafts while continuing to work as a ceramist. She married the teacher and farmer Torbjørn Valla in 1967 and moved to Korgen in the municipality ofHemnes . There, she continued teaching and also accepted many freelance assignments. Anne Lofthus created thecoat of arms for the community of Hemnes and established her own ceramic workshop at Valla where she was active until 1996.The artist
While employed at Stavangerflint Anne Lofthus created designs for ceramic tableware and items for decoration and special occasions. She also made many souvenir objects for cities and tourist sites in Norway and abroad. Her most famous designs for tableware are “Tiril”, “Vinge” and the children´s set "You Good Lord Who Feeds the Birdies". Her style as an artist is usually easily recognizable by her references to Norwegian Folk Art, such as the décor-objects “Stolt Margit” and “Folklore”, both of which are based on inspiration from the cultural heritage of the Telemark region.
Sources
Stavangerflints archives at
Figgjo AS , press coverage, Marit Valla: ”Anne Lofthus 1932 – 2003” at http://gratisnettside.no/stavangerflinthistorie/?&mid=572,”Fra Kvaleberg til cyberspace”, ISBN 978-82-303-0998-8
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
