David Ericsson has been named Designer of the Year by Residence magazine. David creates furniture for Gärsnäs, as well as other nice companies like Gemla, Atelier Sandemar, Verk and more.
“I am elated, so happy and proud. At least this award means I am not completely clueless, anyway.”
Gärsnäs is delighted; David is one of our favourite designers. Madonna, his first chair for Gärsnäs, was made in 2015 in conjunction with the centennial exhibition for the Danish king of chairs, Hans Wegner, where designers were invited to make a chair. Actually, David wasn’t thinking much about Wegner, but his favourite Italian Chiavari chairs. That beautifully crafted chair got the attention of Gärsnäs and a collaboration was established. Since then, David has developed several elegant models for us, e.g. Petite, Hedvig and Hedda.
The award citation mentions that David seems capable of crafting the perfect expression for any material at all.
Is that true? So far, the former Carl Malmsten student has mostly worked with wooden furniture.
“I am open to all materials, but wouldn’t want to work with uranium. Ask a silly question, get a silly answer.”
Recently, David worked on some small-scale furniture – in glass. Together with Daniel Enoksson, he made tables and stools, blown and cast at Målerås glassworks. And talking about materials, there’s also glasbjörk in Swedish, known as downy birch. David has selected the extra-white birch wood for a new chair, Babs, which will go on display for the first time at the exhibition Talking to Åke at Sven-Harry’s Art Museum (5 February – 27 March). “It was time for my mum to get a chair.” David started with the classic, spindle-backed chair, then reduced the design and made a comfortable chair in the spirit of Åke himself. “It is refined, no unnecessary frills or follies. It’s good working on side projects and doing what I want.” A small table, Bibi, complements the chair.