Folkform

For the design duo Folkform, working with small-scale Swedish producers is a fundamental part of their brand. Their aim is to highlight the places, the cultural heritage and the craftsmanship behind their products, offering an alternative to mass production.

The design duo – Anna Holmqvist och Chandra Ahsell

Ever since the design duo Anna Holmqvist and Chandra Ahsell founded Folkform in 2005, they have been creating unique design objects that blur the line between craft and industry. They began their collaboration while studying at Konstfack, the 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 as well as 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 most prestigious design prize in the Nordics.

In their sculptural collection of lighting designs “Pleated for Frank”, Folkform interprets Josef Frank’s distinct patterns using handmade pleating techniques. The collection was designed exclusively for Svenskt Tenn in 2023 and consists of two table lamps and a series of lampshades that can be used with selected light fixtures by Josef Frank.

The “Pleated for Frank” collection by Folkform.

The first collaboration in 2012

Svenskt Tenn and Folkform first collaborated in 2012 when Svenskt Tenn showcased the duo’s cabinets in 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. We had recently graduated from Konstfack (the 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, says Chandra Ahlsell.