A second life
- Anna and Egor are self-taught artisans
- Their first studio was in a garage
- They master varied techniques
Anna and Egor Samoilov are a married couple that feels very strongly about the environment. They are self-taught woodworkers with principles. S.L.O.W. HOME studio officially started its operation on June 21st, 2015. Anna and Egor started with wood but continued to get familiar with new materials and they learned new techniques. Anna also makes linocut prints on textiles now, using her own sketches to cut out linoleum stamps. The couple also uses concrete to create charming household items. “We believe that every object goes on a journey and we love to watch it transform and then be chosen by people for their homes. That’s how we know its story continues”, they say.
Interview
- Why did you choose to work with wood?
- There are forests in our region full of naturally fallen trees, and yet people still buy wood from the stores. Being environmentally aware, we always felt strongly about this. We realised we could use wood from fallen trees and give them a second life. Hopefully we set an example of conscious material usage.
- What techniques do you employ?
- For wood it’s turning, carving and roasting. Cups, plates and vases are mostly made on the lathe. Egor cuts and sharpens the wood when it’s still a little raw. After it takes quite a while to dry. Then carving and roasting takes place (or both). Finally, ready objects are stained or simply covered with flaxseed oil.
- What is your source of inspiration?
- Above all, we are inspired by nature and versatility of its textures and colors. Then of course, old wooden pieces. People used to make functional things with a strong aesthetic.
- What is more important: tradition or innovation?
- Tradition. Our wooden pieces are quite old-fashioned. On the other hand, we’d like to implement innovation by becoming more and more ecological. For example, we are planning to use less cotton and more alternative fabrics like nettle and hemp for the textile pieces.
Egor & Anna Samoilov are expert artisans: they began their career in 2015
Where
Egor & Anna Samoilov
