Artek - Alkovi - a corner dedicated to Johanna Gullichsen collection at the Artek Helsinki store

Alkovi - a corner dedicated to Johanna Gullichsen collection at the Artek Helsinki store

An area devoted to Johanna Gullichsen products at Artek Helsinki store on Keskuskatu has been expanded. The Johanna Gullichsen corner, known as Alkovi is located on the 2nd floor.

9/23/2020

Johanna-Gullichsen-Doris-corall-upholstery-1_web — Armchair 402 by Alvar Aalto upholstered with the Doris fabric.

Johanna Gullichsen product family is making an even bigger splash on the second floor of the Artek Helsinki store. On display in the corner called Alkovi, in addition to the familiar smaller objects by this designer, are carpets and Artek furniture upholstered in Johanna Gullichsen fabrics. The most popular patterns are also available by the metre.

‘We want to inspire our clients with ideas for high-quality interior design that will stand the test of time. Choosing upholstery fabric for furniture, whether it is for a new piece or to reupholster an older item is so much easier when you can see sample pieces on display in the store. The furniture and fabrics on display in Alkovi have been selected in collaboration with Johanna Gullichsen.’ says Ulla Rutanen, Artek Helsinki.

Alkovi offers people the opportunity of seeing the Johanna Gullichsen collection in an environment focused on interior design along with combinations of furniture and objects that speak the same language of design. The patterns of Johanna Gullichsen fabrics and the shapes of the upholstered furniture work together to create a fascinating and inspiring dialogue.

‘I feel that the colours and visual expression of my textiles are a good match with Artek. Deepening our collaboration also makes logical sense, as we have shared values in sustainable production and timeless design,’ says Gullichsen.

Johanna Gullichen’s textiles, such as bags, pouches and pillowcases, have been available at the Artek Helsinki store for decades. Johanna Gullichsen’s skilfully designed, high-quality fabrics, such as Nereus, Helios, Eos and Doris are such a natural match with Aalto furniture that the combinations are likely to become classics. All the fabrics are suitable for homes, and for public spaces there is a separate Contract Collection.

I grew up surrounded by Artek furniture

Textile designer Johanna Gullichsen was born in Somero in Southwest Finland. Before making her mark as a textile designer, she studied art history, literature and languages at the University of Helsinki. After which, she learned the art of weaving at Porvoo Crafts School.

Describing her approach to design, Gullichsen says, ‘Weaving by hand on a loom is my inspiration for exploring techniques and patterns. That is how most of my designs are born. Handcrafting is a living design tool for me, something that is always part of the narrative of my textiles. I am particularly interested in the construction of a fabric and am drawn to technically challenging designs, even though the end product may look simple. The products I design are defined by the fabric itself – either by the material or by its pattern.’

Gullichsen has always felt a connection to Artek.

‘For me, working with Artek is natural. I grew up surrounded by Artek furniture as my grandmother, Maire Gullichsen, was one of the founders of Artek. And later, I too have consciously, repeatedly, chosen Artek designs for my own home.’

Image: Johanna Gullichsen at the library of Villa Mairea, photo by Anton Sucksdorff