Agneta Livijn's Lily Ponds - Swedish Artist arrives in New York

Artist and ceramics designer Agneta Livijn.

The Broadway Gallery in New York is going to be the place to be this coming Saturday, October 16th
from 1 - 4 p.m. as Scandinavian design and art enthusiasts gather for the opening of  Agneta Livijn's critically acclaimed solo show "Lily Ponds".  Agneta is an accomplished artist and ceramics designer who Rhonda and I have had the pleasure of knowing both personally and professionally for many years. A trip to Stockholm for us is not ever complete without a visit to her welcoming and joyous home and studio.  We have watched the evolution of Agneta's  "Lily Ponds" paintings series since she conceived of it on several of her trips to Morocco and we are so excited to tell you that these luminous canvases will be here in New York for the month of October.

Water Lilies from "Lily Ponds" a Solo Show.

Agneta is a longtime student of French art and design with degrees from  the Beckmans School of Design in Stockholm,  L’Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris and later studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. "I have always been fascinated by the life and work of famous artists like Monet and Matisse," says Agneta  "but it is the garden design work of the French artist Jacques Majorelle that inspired the Lily Ponds paintings." 

Water Lilies with Hanging Leaves

It was in 2006 that Agneta discovered the beauty of the water-lily flower and green leaves in Jardin Majorelle.  Originally created by Jacques Majorelle in the 1920's, the garden was for many years an oasis of exotic plants, water features and buildings painted in a vibrant bleu that was so unique as to became synonymous with Majorelle's name.  Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge  rescued the garden from abandonment and disrepair in 1980 and today the Jardin Majorelle continues to be open to the public and

an oasis in Marrakesh just as it was in Majorelle's time.

Jardin Majorelle in the old French quarter of Marrakech

 A Fountain at Jardin Majorelle restored

by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge

     The Lilies at Jardin Majorelles, Marrakech

Agneta has incorporated the colors from the Jardin Majorelle and  Lily Ponds into her signature line of Agneta Livijn pottery.  GET HIP! GET HANDMADE! is Agneta's tagline for her famous Agneta Livijn pottery store in Stockholm and summer pop-up shops in exclusive Swedish coastal retreats.
  .

Her exclusive lines of colorful and chunky cups, saucers, serving bowls and dishes are all handmade and hand painted in the highest quality white stoneware.   The forms are influenced by Agneta's many travels around the globe.

Her newly launched Get Hip Get Handmade line is, to every family cook's celebration, dishwasher and microwave safe.

The ceramics Rhonda and I loved  when we first started doing business in Sweden  (and that my kids still fight over to use at home) are now an international success story!   Since the time of the first coffee mug made in her summer cottage, Agneta now works with leading design retailers in Europe, the United States and Japan. Her work is sought out by companies such as IKEA, Habitat and R.O.O.M,  all of whom she has created exclusive lines for.

Agneta in front of a grouping of smaller canvases from "Lily Ponds" a Solo Show.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about our talented friend!  Please join us in welcoming Agneta Livijn to New York on Saturday, October 16th at the Opening of  "Lily Ponds"  from 1:00  - 4:00 p.m.  at the BROADWAY GALLERY.  Rhonda and I look forward to seeing you there!

LILY PONDS a Solo Show

Agneta Livijn

October 16th - 31th, 2010

Broadway Gallery

473 Broadway

7th Floor

New York, NY 10013

212-274-8993