Maja Jakšić

Vilenica Studio

Wallpaper maker

©Maja Jakšić

Diving into research

Maja mixes a commercial and artistic approach
Her Ruda collection features wallpaper made out of genuine metal
All of her products are unique and environmentally friendly

You can hear the excitement in Maja Jakšić’s voice as she speaks of the moment when something she has been working on for a long time finally comes together. It’s a moment of joy and thrill, and it sparks her enthusiasm to dive further into the exploration of new techniques with the aim of developing her handcrafted wallpapers even further. No single project is the same, therefore Maja's approach is based on research, allowing her to come up with innovative results. Sometimes the research is initiated by a conversation she had with a client; at other times it comes from working on her collections and her interest in learning about the methods of both classical and contemporary artists. If you pay close attention to the details on her wallpapers, you will be surprised by the materials she uses.

Interview

©Maja Jakšić

©Maja Jakšić

What would help this craft become better recognised in Serbia?: People have a certain perception of what wallpaper is. In order to open their eyes to the possibilities and quality of handcrafted products, I think it would be good for them to see more of the process of making the product.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?: I love to dive into research. I used to work in a big company that produced wallpapers industrially, there research was focused on learning about machines and their different roles. When it comes to handcrafted wallpapers, it is all about the process and researching the possibilities of a certain material.
What did you learn from working as a textile designer for a big company?: I think I started realising what my role as a textile designer within a project was and how to keep my creative voice while solving different problems. This is an important skill that allows me to work on different projects satisfying briefs and clients but without losing my artistic sense.
What are you currently developing?: I’ve been working with a German company – and their partner from Luxembourg – on developing wallpaper made entirely out of metal. This has been a technically challenging project in which I used 24 different types of metal to produce various flexible sheets that are unique on the market.

Maja Jakšić is a master artisan: she began her career in 2013 and she started teaching in 2018