Folkform

Photo of the design duo Folkform

Pleated for Frank is an interpretation of Josef Franks classic design world, and a further development in the fine art of pleating.

Folkform

Ever since designers Anna Holmquist and Chandra Ahlsell founded Folkform in 2005, they have been creating unique design objects that border on crafts and industry. They began their collaboration while studying at Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. Chandra Ahlsell also studied at the Pratt Institute in New York and Anna Holmquist at Goldsmiths University in London and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Folkform is represented in the collections of the National Museum in Stockholm and the National Museum in Oslo, among others. In 2019, the design duo was awarded the Bruno Mathsson prize, the largest design prize in the Nordic countries.

Pleated for Frank

In the sculptural lighting collection Pleated for Frank, Folkform interprets Josef Frank’s classic pattern world with the help of handcrafted pleating techniques. The collection has been designed exclusively for Svenskt Tenn 2023 and consists of two table lamps and a series of lampshades that can be used with selected light fixtures by Josef Frank. His well-known prints, Aristidia (1920s), Brazil (1940s) and Poisons (1940s), have been used together with Svenskt Tenn’s own linens, for the collection.

Pleated for Frank

Svenskt Tenn and Folkform began their collaboration back in 2012 with the exhibition Masonite Memoriam. In 2017, Folkform also participated in the group exhibition Närodlad Design (Locally Produced Design) at Svenskt Tenn with their Revolving Bookcase.

“Svenskt Tenn and Folkform share a common interest in cultural heritage, craftsmanship and small-scale production. The Masonite Memoriam exhibition, held more than ten years ago, was very important for us,” says Chandra Ahlsell. “We had recently graduated from Konstfack (University of Arts, Crafts and Design) and were entrusted to present our Masonite cabinets to a new audience. The cabinets have since ended up with private collectors and in the permanent design collection of the National Museum of Norway, among others.”

Pleated for Frank