Agneta Larsen, Animal Sculptures - June 2006

Agneta has been working with clay for over 40 years. She tells me that opening the kiln after a firing still has the same excitement for her now as it did on the first occasion all that time ago.

Her enthusiasm for all aspects of her work, from working clay on the wheel, to modelling the clay, the first firing, making her own glazes and the final firing shows in every piece. Although Agneta produces a large range of objects, from cups and saucers to wall plaques I was particularly struck by her animal and bird subjects. As she pointed out, from her studio at Casares she does not have to go far to see sheep, goats, cats, dogs and bulls. But it was, for me, the birds that were most striking. Even though made in clay their expressions gave each one a character. Agneta tells me the smaller birds are becoming a collector's item. Her customers are predominantly Scandinavian and English.

Certainly museums throughout Scandinavia think Agneta's work is collectable. She is represented in the museums of Gothenburg and Stockholm amongst others as well as in hospitals, libraries and Government buildings. Although she has worked and has had her own gallery in Casares for the past sixteen years she still has close links with Sweden, returning there each year, not only to see family, but, as she says, 'So that I am not forgotten'. Her list of solo exhibitions spans locations throughout the whole of Scandinavia.

At the moment some of her work can be seen at the Chirimoyo Gallery in Jimena. Agneta also opens her gallery twice each year.