Dorothy Clough (1930-) is one of the well-known representatives of the illustrious Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century. She was one of the leading designers for the Upsala-Ekeby and Gefle factories in the 1950s and 1960s. Growing up in the United Kingdom, she received her education at Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland between 1948-53.
With the help of a travel scholarship, she moved to Sweden in 1954, receiving an internship at the Gefle Porcelain Factory in the central Sweden city of Upsala. Dorothy was hired as a designer at the factory Upsala – Ekeby the following year and stayed on until 1957.
After leaving her role at the factory, Dorothy continued her work as a freelance ceramic artist and designer for the Gefle factory and the Upsala-Ekeby factory. She worked on ranges like this ‘Around The World’ set and created work that portrayed life in different countries like Africa, Mexico and Norway.
Dorothy is best known for her playful sculptural figurines, particularly her depictions of animal and female figures. She worked on sculptures for The Flintstones and the infamously popular Pippi Longstocking.
Her body of work includes some 50 different figurines, as well as decorated tableware, and hand-made reliefs and wall tiles.
I love this fab plaque of two fishermen hard at work hauling in their catch.
The work that Dorothy completed in Sweden was signed “DC,” “Dorothy Clough,” or simply “CLOUGH.” She also designed some great Cats !
If you have any more info on this fab designer, do let me know. Which piece is your favourite ?
