Naja Utzon Popov
Naja Utzon Popov
Copenhagen K, Denmark
About Naja Utzon Popov
Naja Utzon Popov is a Danish sculptor, ceramicist and textile designer who is internationally oriented in her work.
Naja’s inspiration has always come from a deep fascination for the shapes and patterns of nature in her homeland of Denmark, where a passion for textile design, sculpture and form has run in her family’s blood for over three generations.
As the granddaughter of the celebrated architect, Jørn Utzon, and daughter of acclaimed Australian architect, Alex Popov, and eminent Danish artist, Lin Utzon, Naja’s works of art reflect a modern edge derived directly from the simplicity of the natural surroundings and aesthetic sensitivity in which she has been immersed all her life. These influences find expression in her work, where she translates her encounters with nature into sculptures, ceramics, glassware and textiles.
Naja has created gravity-defying clay sculptures for the Rosendahl A/S corporate headquarters in Copenhagen. A monumental outdoor sculpture entitled 'Gathering', which rises from the ground like ancient columns formed from Welsh slate, was commissioned for the corporate collection of the Danish organisation, Humana. One of her more recent project of a sculpture installation was for art collectors Sheela & Ivan Levys restaurant Fera in Palma de Mallorca. Other sculptures and installations have been purchased by the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Lovell Chen Architects, Club Robinson in Germany, Elicyon in London and the new hospital wing in Copenhagens main hospital designed by 3xN Architects, as well as many smaller sculpture installations for private houses and businesses around the world.
Bespoke retail design projects include an exquisite line of glassware for Zone, sushi dinner service for UK sushi chain Feng Sushi and two exclusive ranges of high quality floor rugs commissioned by specialist retailer, Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark.
Naja has worked directly with architects and interior designers to create unique and site specific artworks as well as floor art in the form of rugs.
Naja’s inspiration has always come from a deep fascination for the shapes and patterns of nature in her homeland of Denmark, where a passion for textile design, sculpture and form has run in her family’s blood for over three generations.
As the granddaughter of the celebrated architect, Jørn Utzon, and daughter of acclaimed Australian architect, Alex Popov, and eminent Danish artist, Lin Utzon, Naja’s works of art reflect a modern edge derived directly from the simplicity of the natural surroundings and aesthetic sensitivity in which she has been immersed all her life. These influences find expression in her work, where she translates her encounters with nature into sculptures, ceramics, glassware and textiles.
Naja has created gravity-defying clay sculptures for the Rosendahl A/S corporate headquarters in Copenhagen. A monumental outdoor sculpture entitled 'Gathering', which rises from the ground like ancient columns formed from Welsh slate, was commissioned for the corporate collection of the Danish organisation, Humana. One of her more recent project of a sculpture installation was for art collectors Sheela & Ivan Levys restaurant Fera in Palma de Mallorca. Other sculptures and installations have been purchased by the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Lovell Chen Architects, Club Robinson in Germany, Elicyon in London and the new hospital wing in Copenhagens main hospital designed by 3xN Architects, as well as many smaller sculpture installations for private houses and businesses around the world.
Bespoke retail design projects include an exquisite line of glassware for Zone, sushi dinner service for UK sushi chain Feng Sushi and two exclusive ranges of high quality floor rugs commissioned by specialist retailer, Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark.
Naja has worked directly with architects and interior designers to create unique and site specific artworks as well as floor art in the form of rugs.
Education
1999-2002 University of Westminster, BA Hons in Ceramics, Harrow, UK
1997-1998 Kensington & Chelsea College, Diploma in ceramics, Art & Design. London, UK
1993-1994 Julian Ashton Art school, painting, etching & drawing. Sydney, Australia
1997-1998 Kensington & Chelsea College, Diploma in ceramics, Art & Design. London, UK
1993-1994 Julian Ashton Art school, painting, etching & drawing. Sydney, Australia
Events
2020 Sculpture Installation for private residence, Spain
2019, Ceramic dinnerware for Fera Restaurant, Spain
2019, Ceramic sculpture for private client , UK
2017 Botanica rugs nominated for Danish Design Award
Art Installation for Restaurant Fera, Mallorca
Custommade rug designs for Carl Hansen & Son
2015 Custom made oversize rugs for Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
Integrated decorative art wall proposal for Rigshospitalet, Dk
Sculptural installation for Saks Fifth Avenue, Puerto Rico
Sculptures represented at Architectural Digest Show, New York
Rug collection designed for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark
Custom made rug for Triton Rugs, Sweden
Sculpture Installation for Cocobolo Art & Design, New York
2014 Sculptures represented in Art Copenhagen, Copenhagen
Sculpture exhibtion “State of Mind” at In the Gallery, Copenhagen
Exhibition at Carl Hansens & son Flagship store, Copenhagen
2013 Sculpture exhibition “Traces” at Huset tavi, Denmark
Rug and sculpture launch at Maison et Objet Paris
2012 Sculpture Installation for Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
Large slate sculpture installation for private collector, Denmark
Launch of Botanica rug ranges at ICFF New York
2011 Launch of Origin & Ice rug ranges at Maison et Objet Paris
Rug designs launched at Selfridges London
Launch of Origin, Ice & Traces rug ranges at ICFF, New York
Exhibiting large scale clay installation at ICFF, New York
2010- Tent London, showcasing two new ranges of designer rugs.
2010- Sculpture exhibition at Groenbechsgaard, Denmark
2009 - Sushi tableware for Feng Sushi restaurants, London
2007-Slate installation for Humana People to People Intl. Charity, Denmark
Jam Art Fair, Majorca, Spain
100% Design Fair, Earls Court, London
Private installation of ceramic columns, Can Feliz Mallorca Spain
Karen Blixen coffee service for Rosendahl A/S, Denmark
2006/7 - Second exclusive range of rugs for Forty Thieves, London
Ceramic sculpture installation for Club Robinson, Majorca
Exclusive rug designs for Forty Thieves, London - Sculpture used as honorary award for architect Saenz de Oiza, Madrid
Glass series Glaze designed for Zone Denmark, Exhibition at Galeria Kunstmann, Santanyi, Majorca
Ceramic cups and plates commission for Phonoteket Cafe, Denmark
Private installation of ceramic columns, Mackerel Beach Sydney Australia
2003 - Ceramic plates and bowls commission for Feng Sushi restaurants, London,
2019, Ceramic dinnerware for Fera Restaurant, Spain
2019, Ceramic sculpture for private client , UK
2017 Botanica rugs nominated for Danish Design Award
Art Installation for Restaurant Fera, Mallorca
Custommade rug designs for Carl Hansen & Son
2015 Custom made oversize rugs for Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
Integrated decorative art wall proposal for Rigshospitalet, Dk
Sculptural installation for Saks Fifth Avenue, Puerto Rico
Sculptures represented at Architectural Digest Show, New York
Rug collection designed for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark
Custom made rug for Triton Rugs, Sweden
Sculpture Installation for Cocobolo Art & Design, New York
2014 Sculptures represented in Art Copenhagen, Copenhagen
Sculpture exhibtion “State of Mind” at In the Gallery, Copenhagen
Exhibition at Carl Hansens & son Flagship store, Copenhagen
2013 Sculpture exhibition “Traces” at Huset tavi, Denmark
Rug and sculpture launch at Maison et Objet Paris
2012 Sculpture Installation for Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
Large slate sculpture installation for private collector, Denmark
Launch of Botanica rug ranges at ICFF New York
2011 Launch of Origin & Ice rug ranges at Maison et Objet Paris
Rug designs launched at Selfridges London
Launch of Origin, Ice & Traces rug ranges at ICFF, New York
Exhibiting large scale clay installation at ICFF, New York
2010- Tent London, showcasing two new ranges of designer rugs.
2010- Sculpture exhibition at Groenbechsgaard, Denmark
2009 - Sushi tableware for Feng Sushi restaurants, London
2007-Slate installation for Humana People to People Intl. Charity, Denmark
Jam Art Fair, Majorca, Spain
100% Design Fair, Earls Court, London
Private installation of ceramic columns, Can Feliz Mallorca Spain
Karen Blixen coffee service for Rosendahl A/S, Denmark
2006/7 - Second exclusive range of rugs for Forty Thieves, London
Ceramic sculpture installation for Club Robinson, Majorca
Exclusive rug designs for Forty Thieves, London - Sculpture used as honorary award for architect Saenz de Oiza, Madrid
Glass series Glaze designed for Zone Denmark, Exhibition at Galeria Kunstmann, Santanyi, Majorca
Ceramic cups and plates commission for Phonoteket Cafe, Denmark
Private installation of ceramic columns, Mackerel Beach Sydney Australia
2003 - Ceramic plates and bowls commission for Feng Sushi restaurants, London,
Exhibitions
Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, UK
Adazzle, JGM Gallery , UK
The London Art Fair, JGM Gallery, UK
Amphora, Galleri Orange, DK
The Other Art Fair, UK
Galeri Kunstmann, Spain
Cocobolo Gallery, USA
JAM Art Fair, Spain
Architectural Digest Art Fair, USA
Art Copenhagen, DK
Huset Tavi, DK
Galleri In The Gallery, DK
Galleri Grønbechsgård, DK
Carl Hansen & Son, DK & NYC
Adazzle, JGM Gallery , UK
The London Art Fair, JGM Gallery, UK
Amphora, Galleri Orange, DK
The Other Art Fair, UK
Galeri Kunstmann, Spain
Cocobolo Gallery, USA
JAM Art Fair, Spain
Architectural Digest Art Fair, USA
Art Copenhagen, DK
Huset Tavi, DK
Galleri In The Gallery, DK
Galleri Grønbechsgård, DK
Carl Hansen & Son, DK & NYC
