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 leaning 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 where 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)
Lives and works in Sweden
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2017
Formbärare 2017 Svensk Form Syd
Form Award – Årets Nykomling (Newcomer of the Year)
2016
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee two year working grant
Malmö Stads Näringslivspris inom Kulturella och Kreativa Näringar (The City of Malmö Award in the category Creative and Cultural Industry)
Fröfabriken Residency in Landskrona
2015
Malmö Stads Ateljéstipendium
2014
Create in Residence at Nova Iskra, the Swedish Institute
2012
Malmö Stads Ateljéstipendium
2011
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee one year working grant
Malmö Stads Stora Miljöpris
Elle Interior Design Award
2010
Wallpaper Annual Design Award
Terre de Femmes, andra pris
Nöjesguiden Malmö/Lund Pris i kategorin Form
Allas Miljöpris, nominerad
Rankad nummer 7 av 100 i nykomlingslistan “Uppstickare” av Shortcut
2009
Region Skånes Designstipendium
Greendigger Stipedium, Sweden Cleantech Incubators
HDK’s pris för bästa monter, Stockholm Furniture Fair
Malmö Stads Ateljéstipendium
2008
IASPIS kulturutbyte, Portugal
2007
Malmö Stads Kulturstipendium
IASPIS kulturutbyte, Paris
IASPIS kulturutbyte, Milano
EXHIBITIONS
2016
November – The Plinth Project, Etage Projects, Copenhagen
October – Oktober-November, Obra, Malmö
August – 3 to 5 Seconds (solo exhibition), Hafnarborg Museum, Reykjavik
August – Welcome to Weden, London Design Bienale, London (curator)
April – Sweden Plays, Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Milan
April – Den Nya Kartan, Vandalorum, Värnamo (curator and co-exhibitor)
February – Örnsbergsauktionen 2016, Kägelbanan, Stockholm
February – Den Nya Kartan, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm (curator and co-exhibitor)
2015
September – Den Nya Kartan, Form/Design Center (curator and co-exhibitor)
June – Utvalt, Form/Design Center, Malmö (and also Tjörnedala Konsthall and Dunkers Kulturhus during 2015-2016)
May – May Design Series – Fiera Edit, London
May – Emerging Tendencies in Scandinavian Design, Romanian Design Week, Bucharest
April – Plan B, Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm
February – Massproduktion i en hantverkskontext (solo exhibition), Vandalorum – Center för Design och Konst, Värnamo
February – Örnsbergsauktionen, Galleri Bon, Stockholm
February – TWELVE – Established Nordic designers at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, Stockholm
2014
December – Hong Kong Business and Design Week, Hong Kong
September – Plan B, KRETS Gallery, Malmö
September – Shop Show, Falkenbergs Museum, Falkenberg
August – Design Trade, Copenhagen
May – Sight Unseen OFFSITE, New York
February – Omkompositioner – Möbelrekonstruktion av Jenny Nordberg (solo exhibition), Falkenbergs Museum, Falkenberg
January – Shop Show, Design Museum, Helsinki
RECENT CLIENTS
Källemo, Minus Tio, Vandalorum, Acne Jr, Form/Design Center, Nationalmuseum, Art Lab Gnesta, Yalla Trappan, IASPIS, H+ the city of Helsingborg, Lund University Architect School, Linnéaus University Design Programme, Malmö City Planning Office, White Architects, Lund University Industrial Design Programme
