Kurt Østervig

Kurt Østervig was born in Odense in 1912. His father was in the military which influenced an initial career as a naval architect at the Odense Steel Shipyard. Over time Østervig developed a passion for woodworking and decided to focus his career in this direction. His break came when he was hired as a furniture designer for the E. Knudsen's Design Studio, one of the leading furniture designers of the 1930s & 40s.

In 1947 Østervig opened his own design studio which led to commissions from leading Scandinavian furniture manufacturers including Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Bramin, Sibast, and Vamo. The constant search for new challenges resulted in furniture designed for ships, hotels, and movie theaters. Many of his signature works feature the beautifully considered combination of oak and leather.

Østervig won several design awards throughout his active career, and in the years 1953-1960 he was part of the renowned exhibition La Triennale in Milan. In addition, his furniture designs are also exhibited at MoMA; Museum of Modern Art in New York.