Bertil Vallien

Gunnar Lindqvist, 'Bertil Vallien - Glas äter ljus', Carlssons 1999, compare similar 'Resting heads' illustrated and mentioned pp 226-229:
'Bertil Vallien has taken the theme of semi-transpoarent glass heads a step further with a suite of ovoidal sculptures, resting on a base. Within the opaque surface, a frozen head is glimpsed - a head within a head. The formal structure is over-simplified in these sculptures, giving the impression of ice, or frozen water; but also of the head as a capsule, a seed containing new life. Here, Vallien is exploring subtler values: the fragile threads of life itself. The effect can be confusing to an observer. The frozen face within the glass is shrouded in mist, unconcious and unaware. It is rich in symbolism yet the form as simple, as in often the case with Bertil Vallien. It has a poetic, almost sensual feeling, which one does not find in the more expressive blue heads.
The sculptures are cast in two parts, using one mould for each, then fused together and polished individually by hand. A sort of "graal" technique in sand casted glass...'

Bertil Vallien (b. 1938) is a Swedish glass designer and ceramicist. He pursued his studies at Konstfack in Stockholm as well as on study trips to Denmark and the USA. In the 1960s, Vallien worked at Boda glassworks as an assistant to Erik Höglund, and was later linked to Åfors glassworks. Vallien works primarily in glass and has developed a distinctive style of sandcast glass sculptures, often depicting boats and heads. His sculptures have a kind of inner glow that lingers in the memory. Vallien is represented around the world and has been awarded the prize "Visionaries! Award" in 2001. Bertil was married to the artist Ulrica Hydman-Vallien.