Career
Born in Øster Vrå, Denmark, Kjærholm began as a cabinetmaker"s apprentice with Gronbech in 1948, going on to the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1952. He was very articulate and with his natural authority he started an outstanding career as an educator in the same year (1952) but continued to study with Professor Erik Herløw and Professor
Palle Suenson.
From the mid-1950s he worked for his friend Ejvind Kold Christiansen, an entrepreneur who, giving him tremendous artistic freedom, produced an extensive range of his furniture. His distinctive style is evident as early as 1952 in his PKO minimalist plywood series. The PK61 coffee table of "55 is a playfully irrational supporting frame visible through the glass top.
In 1958 he attracted international acclaim for his contributions to the "Formes Scandinaves" exhibition in Paris and the award of the legendary "Lunning Award", the same year for his PK22 chairman
In 1959 he became assistant at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and lecturer. In 1965 his PK24 Chaise Longue typified his mature style.
Its simple flowing lines combine steel and woven cane. He became head of the Institut for Design in 1973 and finally professor in 1976 until his death 4 years later.