Sigrun Lara Shanko

Shanko Design

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Interior landscapes

Sigrun uses wool and silk for her pieces
She is inspired by Iceland’s rugged environment
She uses traditional hand tufting techniques

In 1996 Sigrun saw hand dyed silk art for the first time at an exhibition in England; she was swept of her feet. After this encounter, she decided to learn the craft using the best quality silk and silk dyes. She then went on to explore hand tufting rugs. She learned needle punching from her mother, and now she uses a hand tufting gun too. Eventually, she decided to focus her practice on rugmaking. Her pieces are inspired by the Icelandic landscape shaped by the sea and fire. The contrast of beauty and roughness is reflected in her pieces, which combine striking imagery with soft textiles. She uses traditional techniques with an innovative approach to create one-of-a-kind rugs.

Interview

What was the first work you made?
The first work I created and sold was in 1970. A wall hanging of the northern lights made of Icelandic wool in various colours, using the hand tufting technique. It got a lot of attention but I was very shy and I did not make any more rugs until 2011.
What inspires you?
I like to immerse myself in the local landscape and take extended rambles through the wild countryside. I bring a sketchbook and a camera to capture the endless lava fields with their contrasting moss ranging from light grey to green.
What is special about your chosen material?
I always work with the best quality materials I can source. I use Icelandic wool for hand tufting. The wool is specially dyed and spun for me so the making process starts right from when I commission my raw material.
Could your craft be considered in danger?
Yes, more and more people are turning to computers and robots to save time and produce larger quantities. People do not allow themselves the time needed to master the skills of hand dyeing and tufting. But the quality, in the end is the difference.

Sigrun Lara Shanko is a master artisan: she began her career in 2011 and she started teaching in 2014