Lounge Chair by Christen Sorensen for Ebena-Lasalle, 1967

1967

'Montreal Pavilion Chair'

Canada

Metal, plywood and cotton

78cm high, 81cm wide, 52cm deep

Designed for the 1967 International and Universal Exposition (Expo 67)

Literature: Made in Canada: Craft and Design in the Sixties, edited by Alan C. Elder

The same model is held in the Canadian Museum of History; accession number 2004.56

Christen Sorensen, who passed away on June 10, 2015, at the age of 93, has left behind a lasting legacy inspired by the countries he called home during his lifetime.

Christen, also known as ‘Chris’ Sorensen, pursued design studies at the "Kunsthandwaerkerskolen" (Copenhagen’s School for the Arts and Crafts). He had the privilege of learning from some of Denmark's most notable architects and designers, including Hans J. Wegner, Borge Mogensen, Bender Madsen, Jorn Utzon (Architect of the Sydney Opera House), and Ejner Larsen.

Following his studies, Sorensen established a furniture design and production studio in Copenhagen. His chairs gained recognition, exhibited across Scandinavia and at the Triennale in Milan in 1955. In 1956, he moved to Montreal, contributing to various design projects, including airport interiors, three pavilions for Expo '67, commercial interiors, and furniture. Some of his chair designs are currently featured in the permanent collection at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.