Bertil Vallien (b. 1938) was trained as a ceramist. Early in his career, he was influenced by the innovative work of American studio potters such as Peter Voulkos. In 1963, Vallien began to work as a designer for the Åfors Glassworks in Småland, the center of the Swedish glassmaking industry. At Åfors, now a subsidiary of the well-known Kosta glass company, he produced designs for everyday objects, limited-production art glass, and unique works. He supported the involvement of artists in the factory, and he championed handcraft over the machine. In the mid-1960s, Vallien made his first experiments with sand casting glass. He later introduced this technique at Åfors and taught it to students in workshops around the world. With sand casting, Vallien was able to translate his sculptural ideas into glass. Unknown Destination II reflects his interest in boats, which he uses as a metaphor for the journey (both physical and psychological), time, exploration, and self-discovery.