LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION - Ikea
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LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION
ART FOR EVERYONE At IKEA, we’re guided by the vision of “creating a better everyday life for the many people”, so for years we’ve been providing people all over the world with functional and affordable design. But we believe that art can also play its part. It shouldn’t just be in galleries and museums - it belongs in the home too. That’s what the IKEA Art Event is all about; inviting contemporary artists from around the world to co- create art that can be put in any home, making it more vibrant, beautiful and fun. For the IKEA Art Event 2018 we got to thinking about toy art and Swedish crystal. Unlikely partners? Perhaps. But we were curious.
What happens when you mash up the world of manga, designer toys and comics with the age-old techniques of handmade Swedish art glass?
CONCEIVED IN PLAY.
The figurines are produced at Målerås glassworks in Småland, not far from
where the IKEA story began. One of the few glassworks still active in Sweden,
BORN IN FIRE.
Målerås was founded in 1890.
As Henrik Most, Creative Leader for the IKEA Art Event project, puts it, “We
wanted to see what would happen when combining an old craft tradition with
young art forms. I think we found something interesting that hopefully can
introduce art glass to a new generation.”
“In working with glass, a material with such a long and amazing
tradition, we got the opportunity to lift it to the contemporary scene.”
- Henrik Most, Creative Leader, IKEA Art EventMEET THE
ARTISTS
When choosing the artists to collaborate with, the goal was to
create both a geographic representation from around the world
and a creative mix that would provide a taste of what’s going on
in the contemporary art scene.
“I love the art projects because they are so different from
working with design. Here you need your intuition to
guide you to a much higher degree. It’s more about being
open to possibilities and creating a genuine trust between
yourself and the artist. About nurturing the artist.”
- Henrik Most. Creative Leader, IKEA Art EventIKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 003.777.38 PH150725 MICHAEL LAU “My piece is titled Soul Toy. I believe there is a soul within each piece of art. The eyes and tongue of Soul Toy hint the letters of “toy”, while the shape of the figure itself suggests the form of a soul. I think this speaks to the piece in a witty way.”
MICHAEL
Hong Kong artist Michael Lau is renowned for his urban vinyl art that combines This is the first time he has ever worked in glass. “I usually produce my figurines
pop culture, music, fashion, sport and lifestyle. When asked what inspires in vinyl, or sometimes in plastic. When I do sculptures, I work with fibreglass,
LAU
Michael to do art, he says, “Life and people in general. I think that simply by stainless steel. I like working with new mediums, so this was such an interesting
observing things around you, on an everyday basis, by paying attention to opportunity for me. Glass has quite a few limitations in terms of production, and
people – their behavior – how one character is different from another is very I learnt a lot.”
interesting to me.”
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IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 403.777.36
COARSE
“We asked “What about the fox who is not so clever,
who does not want to trick others”? This fox is shy,
vulnerable, afraid of the world. Always on the alert,
but never ready to attack, she’s an outsider among
her species.”COARSE
Los Angeles-based German duo Mark Landwehr and Sven Wasch have been “This required us to go back to the drawing board several times to create just
sculpting toy art since 2003. Known for their unique sculpting style, their pieces the right shape. We also weren’t sure how this effect of colouring the glass
often express the vulnerability we try to conceal. would turn out, but we love the final result.”
Although they love their niche world of art toys, they also love seeing how new
audiences interact with their art. This led them to the collaboration with IKEA.
The IKEA Art Event 2018 is the duo’s first time working in glass. This meant they
faced limitations that they otherwise weren’t used to – like having to design a
figure with a flat bottom and back.
PH150723IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 903.777.34 PH150729 ARKIV VILMANSA “My figure is named Hira, which means “good dreams”. It’s an abstract visualization of the life that we’ve been through. A character entangled in a power struggle to emerge to the ultimate realm. I wanted to convey that life is simple.”
ARKIV
Indonesian painter and designer Arkiv Vilmansa has become a name in the Like most of the other artists involved in the project, this was the first time he
lowbrow art and designer toy scene. Inspired by architecture, his work explores had worked in glass. “The production method is very different from what I’m
deep, curvy lines while celebrating bold and bright colours. used to. I’m surprised by the glassblowers’ expertise – it’s really a special and
VILMANSA No stranger to IKEA products, Arkiv was pleased to be given the opportunity
to co-create. “My entire home is practically furnished with IKEA, so the
difficult skill to have.”
collaboration has been like a dream come true for me. IKEA is able to make art
happen on a global scale. For me, that’s really the achievement of a lifetime.”
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IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 103.777.33
NATHAN
JUREVICIUS
“The owl is an important part of my Lithuanian heritage
where it appears heavily in mythology. Owls are
nocturnal and this one I call Sutemos, which means
“nightfall”. That is also the time of day when I’m most
creative, when my ideas flow.”NATHAN
Canadian-based Australian artist, illustrator and toy designer Nathan Jurevicius If someone told me to make something in moon rock, I’d be like: ‘Sure!’. Now
is widely known for his dream-like, psychedelic animated worlds and limited- that I know more about glass and the production process I would love to make
JUREVICIUS
edition designer toys. an entire line in glass.”
Even though he had never worked in glass before, Nathan was totally up for the And, just like IKEA, he believes that art should be for everyone.
challenge the IKEA Art Event 2018 presented. “I love creating objects. The idea
of experimenting with a material that I have little understanding of is interesting. “I think the future of art will be about accessibility and reaching a wider
audience,” he says.
PH150726IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 603.777.35 PH150727 JUNKO MIZUNO “I wanted to make a simple, but beautiful figurine inspired by vintage collectable figurines and toys from late 60s to early 70s. I named her Nocturnal because I’m a night person. I worked on the design at night, too!”
JUNKO
To American-based Japanese artist Junko Mizuno, art is just as necessary as The IKEA Art Event 2018 was the first time Junko’s first time worked with glass
eating or sleeping. Known for her paintings, comics, toy designs and illustrations, as a creative medium. “It was an interesting process, and I learnt a lot. We
MIZUNO
her work is influenced by Japanese pop culture. worked by exchanging emails, sketches and photos just like I always do with toy
makers. It was my first time designing a cast glass figurine we had to discuss
“As a relatively underground artist, I had never thought a company like IKEA and change a lot. I’d love to do it again if I ever have the chance.”
would be interested in working with me. The opportunity made me really happy
and excited!” she modestly says.
PH150727IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 203.777.37 PH150722 LUDVIG LÖFGREN “I like working with strong symbols like the eye. Turquoise signifies protection against the “evil eye”. I like working with symbols because it allows me to start digging into history. They have layers and precise messages that many can relate to.”
LUDVIG
Ludvig Löfgren was born and raised in the Swedish “Kingdom of Crystal”. A Ludvig is also pleased that this project will give his chosen medium the chance
certified glass master, he is the only artist involved in the project who is familiar to reach a wider audience. “We’re showing new ways of working with glass.
LÖFGREN
with glass. Today he’s known as a driving force in taking Swedish glass art to the And it’s an international launch so lots of people will be able to have some
next level. relationship to the art.”
“This project has been fun and inspiring,” he says. “IKEA is a completely
different company from what I’m used to working with, and the artists and toy
designers that we worked with are people I’d normally look to for inspiration.”
PH150722IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 603.777.40 PH150730 JOE LEDBETTER “My very first design was a bunny. People really reacted to him. He was sort of autobiographical. And he really put me on the map in the designer toy world. So, it felt natural to make a bunny out of glass.”
JOE
Influenced by classic animation, underground comics, skateboarding and 80s In the end, Joe was pleased with his bunny. And the process. “It’s been a lot of
video games, Los Angeles-based Joe Ledbetter mixes irony, social criticism and fun! One of the best collaborations I’ve done. The team has been really open to
LEDBETTER
mischief to create creatures that illustrate the human condition. following my vision, and I feel grateful to be working with such knowledgeable
people. I’ve always loved IKEA. I mean, 50% of my house is IKEA and that says
Used to working in plastic, this was Joe’s first project in glass. “Glass has such a lot.”
specific requirements and quite a few obstacles. With plastic, you can form it
over a longer period of time. With glass, you have that one shot – it has to come
straight out perfectly.”
PH150730IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 803.777.39 PH150724 JAMES JARVIS “Drawing is the foundation for all my work, but this is exciting because it’s a different type of product – in a material that has a real history to it. I didn’t realise glassblowing is so human and such an organic process.”
JAMES
London artist and visual philosopher James Jarvis is mostly known for his toy get twisted into something else” he says. “But IKEA have been really respectful
designs, quirky simplistic illustrations, and comics. Here, he is making a welcome of what I wanted to say and how I want to portray myself, which is refreshing.
JARVIS
return to the world of 3D products – something he said he’d never do. But the And they have restrictions, which makes it interesting.”
prospect of working with IKEA was too interesting to turn down.
“I said I’d never go back” he says. But luckily for us all he did. And it’s a decision
he hasn’t regretted. “When working with larger brands, the original idea tends to
PH150724PH150729 PH150730 PH150722 PH150723 IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed by IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed by by Arkiv Vilmansa. Crystalline. L15×H3cm. 903.777.34 Joe Ledbetter. Crystalline. L7×H18cm. 603.777.40 by Ludvig Löfgren. Crystalline. L13×H9cm. 203.777.37 the design duo Coarse. Crystalline. L12×H12cm. 403.777.36 PH150724 PH150725 PH150726 PH150727 IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed IKEA ART EVENT 2018 decoration £25 The figurine is designed by James Jarvis. Crystalline. L9.5×H13cm. 803.777.39 by Michael Lau. Crystalline. L10.5×H11.5cm. 003.777.38 by Nathan Jurevicius. Crystalline. L9×H12cm. 103.777.33 by Junko Mizuno. Crystalline. L8.5×H15.5cm. 603.777.35
CONTACT UK Press Office IKEA Ltd 225 North Circular Road | London | NW10 0JQ E-mail: media.lounge.uk@ikea.com Phone: 0845 225 7126
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