Elisabeth
Ohlström
I'm a Swedish artist, working with different art forms my studio in the countryside of southern Sweden.
Artist ProfileA Life Reshaped by Art
For many years I worked as an optometrist in southern Sweden, raising two sons with my husband while quietly nurturing a passion that never let go. Art was always there—waiting in the margins—until the day I decided to give it everything.
About twenty years ago I discovered the world of glass and was instantly captivated. That first encounter opened a door I never looked back through. Today I devote myself fully to my artistic practice, exploring the interplay between glass, clay and mixed media, often on a larger scale.
A diagnosis of fibromyalgia brought new challenges and chronic pain into my daily life. But it also taught me to listen closely to my body and to create at a pace that feels sustainable—making every finished piece carry that much more meaning.
Shaped by Fire & Glass
My studio is based in our home, where I work with large sheets of glass that I hand-cut and carve into the forms I envision. These are then layered with powdered glass and fused together in a kiln at temperatures reaching 820°C.
Each firing takes around 24 hours, and a single piece often requires several rounds of heating and shaping before I'm satisfied with the result. Along the way I experiment with metals, metallic powders and clay—adding depth and texture that make every work uniquely unpredictable.
The Unhurried Art of Patience
Creating a sculpture in cast glass is a slow, intricate process that can stretch over several days—sometimes up to a week—before I can finally open the kiln and discover the outcome. There is no rushing it; the glass decides its own timeline.
While a piece is in the kiln I turn to the ceramic elements, shaping and refining them, and exploring ways to mount or assemble everything together. Bringing all the parts into a single work is both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. The moment every element connects and the final artwork comes to life is the most fulfilling part of my creative journey.
From Glass to Sculpture
A glimpse into the studio process where raw materials transform into finished artworks through patience, skill, and artistic vision.