Ekström was a furniture designer, wood carver, sculptor and architect.

Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, where Sweden's oldest furniture facto­ry was situated. His father died young and Ekström started working in the factory at the age of 13. His talent for carpentry and his all-round experience gave him a unique feeling for materials and construction.

With colleagues like Aalto, Mathsson, Jacobsen and Kjaerholm, Yngve Ekström was part of the post-war modern movement that made the concept “Scandina­vian Modern” world-famous. His furniture is represented in many permanent collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.