Jenny Nordberg (Swedish, b. 1978) is an industrial designer based in Malmö, Sweden, whose interdisciplinary work explores and challenges contemporary notions of design as well as the role of the designer. Nordberg is driven by a desire to develop strategies and alternative methods that counter the problematic aspects of mass production. Her research and studio practices focus on the history as well as the future of consumerism with an end to transforming the preconditions that exist in much of the design world today. Stylistically, Nordberg’s work is characterized by a combination of Brutalism and Minimalism, and often leans on chance as an important element.
In her ongoing series 3 to 5 Seconds: Rapid Handmade Production, begun in 2014, Nordberg researched mirror-making techniques from the nineteenth century and became fascinated with the process and results of her experiments. To create each mirror, a thin layer of liquid silver is applied to the surface of the glass, where its uncontrolled movement results in a unique design whose unpredictability is central to its allure. Nordberg’s mirrors create a striking effect wherein one’s reflection appears almost as a haunting apparition, an ephemeral quality that contrasts dramatically with the immediacy of the design itself.
Nordberg received an MFA in industrial design and has been the recipient of numerous awards and commissions. Her work has been exhibited widely.
JENNY NORDBERG
b. 1978, Sweden
EDUCATION
2007
Fashion and Technology, K3, Malmö Hogskola, Malmö, Sweden
2004
Entrepreneurship and Business Development, Centre of Finances, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
1999–2004
Industrial Design, Master of Fine Arts, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Strategies for Moving Freely, Designmuseo, Helsinki, Finland
2022
Active Cargo, Vandalorum Museum of Art & Design, Vämamo, Sweden
Positive Enough, Stockholm Modern, Stockholm, Sweden
2020
Strategies for Moving Freely, Stockholm Modern, Stockholm, Sweden
2018
Fluid Add-Ons, Stockholm Modern, Stockholm, Stockholm
Most Common Element, Galleri Obra, Malmö, Sweden
2016
3 to 5 Seconds, Hafnarborg Museum, Reykjavík, Iceland
2015
Vandalorum Museum of Art & Design, Vämamo, Sweden
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
The Bruno Mathsson Prize 40 Years, Vandalorum Museum of Art & Design, Värnamo, Sweden
2021
CUP Exhibition, The Classen Library, Copenhagen, Denmark
Printed Matter, Galleri 22, Stockholm, Sweden
Unconventional Illusions, C Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
2019
Design Matters, Umeå Art Museum, Umeå, Sweden
MiArt, Stockholm Modern, Milan, Italy
Portrait Painter, Stockholm Modern, Chart Art Fair, Copenhagen, Denmark
2018
Berättelser, Konsthall Marieholm, Marieholm, Sweden
Nomad Circle, Etage Projects, Monaco
Scene Unseen in the Subtropics: Contemporary Design from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Various Behaviours, Stockholm Modern, Chart Art Fair, Copenhagen, Denmark
Whatmatters, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, Denmark
2017
The Plinth Project, Etage Projects, Copenhagen, Denmark
What’s Your DNA, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
2016
Nomad, Form/Design Centre, Malmö, Sweden
October–November, Galleri Obra, Malmö, Sweden
Sweden Plays, Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Milano, Italy
Welcome to Sweden, Swedish Pavilion, London Design Biennale, London, UK
2015
Twelve, Stockholm Furniture Fair, Stockholm, Sweden
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2024
IASPIS Cultural Exchange Grant
The Bruno Mathsson Prize, Laureate
2023
Cathrine von Hauswolff Foundation Scholarship
2022
Designer of the Year, Elle Deco Awards, Sweden
Designer of the Year, Swedish Design Awards by RUM
The City of Malmö Business Award, Winner in the Category “Creative and Cultural Industry, ” SPOK Project
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Project Support
2020
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Two-Year Working Grant
2019
RUM Award, Object of the Year
Create in Residence, IASPIS/Nova Iskra, Belgrade, Serbia
2018
Residence Magazine Design Award, Craft of the Year
2017
Form Award, Newcomer of the Year
Formbärare Svensk Form Syd
2016
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Two-Year Working Grant
The City of Malmö Business Award, category Creative and Cultural Industry
Fröfabriken Residency, Landskrona, Sweden
2015
Malmö City Studio Scholarship
2014
Create in Residence at Nova Iskra, the Swedish Institute
2012
Malmö City Studio Scholarship
2011
Elle Interior Design Award
Malmö City Environmental Award
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, One-Year Working Grant
2010
Allas Miljöpris (Nominated)
Nöjesguiden Malmö/Lund Prize in the Category “Form”
Ranked Seventh out of 100 in the Newcomers List “Uppstickare” by Shortcut
Terre de Femmes, Andra Prize
Wallpaper Annual Design Award
2009
Greendigger Scholarship, Sweden Cleantech Incubators
HDK Prize for Best Stand, Stockholm Furniture Fair
Malmö City Studio Scholarship
Region Skåne’s Design Scholarship
2008
IASPIS Cultural Exchange, Portugal
2007
Malmö City Cultural Scholarship
IASPIS Cultural Exchange, Milan, Italy
IASPIS Cultural Exchange, Paris, France
