Text by Collections Assistant Thomas Flor

Sven Ivar Dysthe (25 August, 1931–1 March, 2020) charted his own course early in life and chose to pursue his education abroad. He got off to a flying start when, as a student at the Royal College of Art, he was given the prestigious assignment of making a wooden box to house the college's special gift to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation. During the 1950s, in collaboration with interior architect and lifelong companion Trinelise, he created several exhibition interiors that highlighted new ways of living and furnishing. At the same time, Dysthe experimented with furniture design within a Scandinavian style, but often with innovative solutions that made them stand out from contemporary design ideals.