Artistic expression Originality Craftsmanship
‘A rug is like a canvas. You can express anything.’
Ksenia Stanishevski
Oslo-based brand Volver may have only been around for three years, but is already assuredly making its mark on the rug industry. Founded by creative Ksenia Stanishevski who is originally from Tallinn, Estonia, the Norwegian company blends Scandinavian practicality and artistic individuality with superb Indian and Chinese craftsmanship. As Creative Head of Volver, Stanishevski designs many of the hand-tufted, hand-loomed and flatweave rugs herself, as well as working in collaboration with international artists, designers and architects to create diverse collections.
Three-dimensional effects are a signature feature of Volver rugs, which is well illustrated in the brand’s impressive rugs for the Deichman Bjørvika public library in Oslo, as featured in COVER 60. Other highlights include a collection of thirteen rugs that Volver developed with Krafted, in response to the Nordic furniture brand’s minimalist style and Volver’s designs for the lounge of Gjensidige Insurance HQ, which have a mid-century flavour.
The new hand-tufted Yggdrasil collection by Volver and Yorgo Lykouria of London-based Rainlight Studio is based on an ancient Norse legend of the same name. Yggdrasil is a tale of the World Tree, which has roots that reach down into the underworld where three mythical women, Urd, Verdane and Skuld, water the tree from the well of fate. The abstract designs of the four rugs in the collection— Yggdrasil, Urd, Verdane and Skuld —are inspired by London graffiti and Nordic folklore. The wild and intricate designs are expressed in deep, dark tones and expert carving.
‘Creating Yggdrasil was a creative process that united art with craft and industrial design. Together Rainlight and Volver were looking to unite London street culture with ancient Norse mythology!’
Yorgo Lykouria
For 2022, what could be more uplifting than the colourful and immersive Fields & Forests flatweave collection? Created by Volver in collaboration with Norwegian artist Andreas Siqueland, it featured in a show of his work at the Kristiansand Art Hall in Autumn 2021. The seven rugs a part of a larger art project called Living with It!, for which the artist uses his own home as a site to investigate changes in living conditions due to climate change. In his work, nature takes back what we as humans have taken over.
Falling Forests and Lillies in the Lake celebrate the circle of life while Morning Mists depicts wildflowers in the morning light. Clouds is a dynamic composition of light and dark while Sun features intense warmth in a radiating design. The joy of winter is conveyed in the playful Winter Storm, while Leave & Grass references Walt Whitman’s poems ‘Leaves of Grass’, celebrating the bounty of life and nature.
While the pandemic has created difficulties for many businesses across the globe, Volver have thrived thanks to the efforts of owner Ksenia Stanishevski. The company completely restructured its production, digitalised its operations, created six new collections and increased revenue by 60% in one year. Stanishevski is hopeful for the future and developing new ways of working that combine ‘a spirit of resilience, new creativity, innovation and togetherness.’
‘Volver explores the interface between art and craft through the medium of rugs. We aim to offer you designs that evoke various emotions, sensorial experiences, distinctive moods and intellectual reflection. Original, unexpected, eclectic, rebellious and sophisticated, always on the edge of commercial reality and cultural interest.’
Ksenia Stanishevski
With an eye for developing contemporary rug collections with an impressive style of their own plus an eager drive for production perfection, Volver are a brand to key your eyes on.
Volver
Volver Studios AS
Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47 99 03 82 82
E-mail: contact@volverstudios.com
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