It's art month at Tile Envy.
That's mostly because I've several great posts in the cue showcasing super-cool artists from around the world who utilize tile as their medium.
But it's also summer and I thought art would make for a great summer-time distraction. So slap on that suntan lotion, order a margarita and let's have some light - but serious - culture-shock!
For me, tile is art - which is very different from art tiles. If that doesn't make much sense, I'll attempt to illustrate what I mean with current artists whose work is stretching this traditionally functional art form into the realm of the fine arts.
Ylva Wilhelmina Franzen is a Swedish ceramicist whose work I recently stumbled upon in flickr. I couldn't believe what I was seeing- hoping the wonderful squares of industrial landscape would, indeed, turn out to be tiles. After lots of searching (I felt like a real spy) I finally found the artist in her homeland of Sweden and discovered that her work in Landet Cafe was just the tip of the iceberg.
Ylva Wilhelmina Franzén
Yrke: Konsthantverkare/keramiker.
Ålder: 30.
Utbildning: Konstfack, Keramik & Glas, 2001–2006.
Familj: Sambo, mamma, pappa, bror.
Gillar: Verktyg och maskiner.
Ogillar: Verktyg och maskiner som går sönder.
Bästa fyndet: Bandspännare på Biltema.
Samlar på: Försöker låta bli.
Det visste ni inte: Vinnare i vallgravsmete i juniorklassen, Göteborg 1986.
Aktuell med: Nyligen avslutat en separatutställning på Galleri Anna H, Göteborg. Gästmedlem i Blås & Knåda
This basically says, amongst some quirkier tid-bits, that Ylva is in her 30's and was educated at Konstfack, in Ceramics & Glass. :)
But what's most important is her work, itself. See what you think-
Landet Cafe in Sweden
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Some more works from Ylva's exhibits-
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Her ceramic sculptures are equally as provocative so I'd encourage you to check out her website to see her complete catalog of works.