ULTRA-MODERN WORKS OF ART
Ikea Art Fair’s eclectic collection of colourful rugs are designed to give homes an extra bit of vibrancy
Swedish company Ikea is known for its collaborations with leading artists and designers, and its annual art event, which kicked off five years ago and took place recently at select Canadian stores, is a good example.
Combining the talents of artists such as New York-based duo Chiaozza — Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao — who produce media, sculptures, installations, collages and photography, alongside Louis Vuitton’s men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh, the Art Fair collection includes eight ultra-modern, vibrant rugs designed to be used as pieces of art in the home.
“Art should be something that is accessible and affordable to the many people around the world,” says Henrik Most, creative leader for this year’s event.
“We make an Ikea art collection simply because we believe in democratic art.”
Most says there can be a perception that art is restricted to oil paintings and sculptures, but he believes there’s no reason you can’t take a piece of art and apply it to a rug.
“We now expect great design to be a part of everyday life,” he says.
One of the standout rug designs in the collection is the ‘big cats’ piece by Japanese artist Misaki Kawai, who is known internationally for her installations made from felt, yarn, wood, fabric and papier-mâche.
“I’m inspired by funny stuff, goofy stuff and hairy stuff — that’s one of the reasons why I loved doing this rug, it’s a very hairy object,” she says. “I think it turned out great, it’s comfortable and has amazing colours. It’s fantastic that so many people will be able to enjoy it. Go ahead, please pet the big cats!”
Equally arresting is the oversized parrot rug in bright pinks and reds, by well-known London-based men’s fashion designer Craig Green, a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins.
“With this rug, I was interested in exploring the idea of paradise, of escaping reality. Of making a portal or doorway to transport us to somewhere better,” Green says.
Showcasing more subtle contemporary design, Korean-french artist Seulgi Lee’s rug embodies the expression “happy as a fish in water.” Lee’s design works off the assumption that all rugs have the potential to define a space, and she wanted to create one that reflected light as it’s seen through water, along with strong, radiating colours.
“I thought of northern Indian artisans, the city Ayodhya, ancient Korean Queen Heo Hwang-ok and, above all, the power of colour. Let’s be happy. As happy as a fish in water,” she says.
Reminiscent of Keith Harring’s work, the rug by New York artist Noah Lyon is a busy, tumbling, black and white, cartoon-esque design.
“This rug depicts the whirlwind of interconnected life as our world tumbles through the universe,” he says. “It is inspired by the Navajo whirling log, the story of a man who encounters whirlpools and spirits that teach him things of great value to his people.”
Lyon is a multidisciplinary artist who splits his time between New York and Sweden.
His work is shown at the MOMA, the Tate Britain, The Brooklyn Museum and The Whitney Museum of American Art.
Animal themes feature strongly in Ikea’s Art Fair collection, such as the snake depicted in the rug by French artist Supakitch (Guillaume Grando), known for his electric approach to art, mixing techniques and materials such as acrylic paint, resin, gold leaf and tattoo in an effort to reflect rhythm, art deco symbolism and romantic ideas.
“I wanted to play with the concept of the classic animal rug. I looked for an interesting animal to put on the floor and the snake came to mind. As a totem animal, the snake is a spiritual guide that heals. Snakes shed their skin and symbolize rebirth,” Grando says.
Underlying the whole rug collection is a sense of fun and experimentation, and the traditional Persian rug designed by Louis Vuitton’s Virgil Abloh, which has “Keep Off ” printed in capitals right across it, is a good example of this.
“I wanted an ironic take on the traditional attitude to furnishing where the living room is just a showroom, not somewhere you sit,” he says.
“The parental ‘don’t ruin the furniture’ kind of thing I think has really impacted how younger people think of furniture today.”