IKEA fanatics will remember the Swedish furniture giant’s previous art collections, perhaps the most memorable of which was the sell-out “Keep Off” rug created in collaboration with fashion designer and creative director Virgil Abloh.
The IKEA Art Event Collection has returned in 2021 for its sixth release. Revealed in a global, virtual event, the collection this year is comprised of 10 home furnishing and decor items that IKEA says challenges “the perspective on everyday objects whilst paying tribute to everyday creativity”.
Five artists and designers were enlisted to create the products in tandem with IKEA. Hailing from cities all around the world, these include New York’s Daniel Arsham, Tokyo’s Gelchop, Stockholm’s Humans since 1982, Berlin’s Stefan Marx and Rotterdam’s Sabine Marcelis.
“We choose to work with different artists from around the world to reflect the diversity of art and design coming together,” said Henrik Most, creative leader for IKEA Art Event in a statement. “We want to show that being an artist or being a designer does not mean that you have to stay in one box, you can work within different fields, and that this new movement has had a profound impact both on the design and art scenes today.”
A glowing wall lamp, sculptural clock, Allen key-inspired torch, an embossed vase, and a drone-adorned wall decal make up the eye-catching range, which will hit IKEA stores in Australia and online from April 12, 2021.
“Each item in this collection has a practical function, and at the same time, it is an art object. The traditional idea of art being high-end and design being part of mass culture simply is not relevant anymore. The two go fantastic together – that is where the magic happens,” said Most.
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