Rosita Ståhl SWEDISH, b. 1985

Rosita Ståhl (b. 1985) is a Swedish glass artist and craftsperson working with blown and sculpted glass. She centers herself as an integral part of every aspect of the creative journey, from the initial spark of an idea to the final realization of an installation, sculpture, or functional glass piece. At the age of 16, Ståhl attended Orrefors Riksglasskola in 2002, received a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the Royal Danish Academy and most recently earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Craft and Glass from Konstfack.

Born in Gothenburg, Rosita now works from her studio in Gustavsberg in Stockholm. Her artistic expression is deeply rooted in narratives woven from her own personal experiences, emotions, and the landscapes she has encountered, drawing inspiration from cherished memories of her travels and the majestic mountains she has visited.

Rosita Ståhl's most recent works, including forms and installations that delve into the essence of labour and craftsmanship. Her work seamlessly bridges the historical and contemporary aspects of glass craft, revealing complex layers of authorship. These installations incorporate the elements of glass, light, and sound. She uses video, moving images and projections to create poetic universal subtle experiences. With the unique qualities of glass, Rosita endeavors to narrate diverse stories where light, shadows, reflections, and refractions play pivotal roles, while highlighting the presence and invisibility of the maker. She often inserts herself or other creators as narrators in her work through video or sound, sparking intellectual discourse and prompting viewers to delve into the underlying layers and creative processes.

Ståhl’s hourglass shapes are not only symbolic representations of time but also powerful symbols of knowledge. They serve as a testament to the dedication and time it takes to become a skilled craftsperson, while also echoing the inherent fragility of the material itself, mirroring glass’s delicate nature. For Ståhl, a crucial aspect of her artistic mission is to illuminate the role of craftsperson and the locales where glass is expertly crafted. She seeks to shed light on the fact that some artisans undertake the entire creative process independently. As opposed to others enlisting the helping hands of fellow artisans, or designers employment of artisans to make work that they take authorship of. By disseminating this knowledge, she aims to foster a deeper understanding of the intricate creative processes involved in craftsmanship. She contributes to the preservation and enhancement of our collective knowledge and value of craft, both in contemporary and historical contexts.