A while ago we featured Finnish designer, Viola Gråsten; this week, we’re taking a look at Swedish, fellow textile designer from the same mid-century modern era, Ingegerd Silow.
Silow (1916-2005), who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark was a prolific creator of rugs, carpets, blankets, curtains and wall hangings. She used the technique known as Rölakan, which created a flatweave, double-sided item, similar to tapestry and Middle Eastern kelims. Items created using this method are hard-wearing and stain repellent.
Ingegerd Silow attended Högre Konstindustriella Skolan (now known as Konstfack) in Stockholm followed by Kunsthandtweerksskolen in Copenhagen. She was employed as a pattern designer at Svensk Hemslöjd in Stockholm, Hemslöjdsförbundet för Sverige and Heyman & Olesen, again in Stockholm. For a number of years, she also created designs for Eric Ewers and Axeco. Much of her output was produced when she was a freelance designer.
Her designs were colourful and she employed a number of different styles; figurative, folk art, abstract and geometric. The last may have been influenced by her travels to Mexico and the USA.
As she was so productive, her designs are easy to find for sale. However, her wall hangings are £150.00 and upwards and rugs have a starting price of about £1,000.00. Check eBay and Etsy.
Additional image credits:
Bukowskis
