Textiles for Life – SUPERGRAPHICS by Studio Shand and Cadrys
Contemporary design practice Studio Shand and Australian rug company Cadrys have collaborated on a new range of premium indoor rugs inspired by the shapes and colours of Californian modernism. Aptly named SUPERGRAPHICS, the collection features motifs referencing modernist design and sumptuous, contrasting palettes, persuasively evoking a life filled with beautifully designed textiles.
Created with the intent to enrich spaces through textiles, SUPERGRAPHICS is heavily influenced by the “boldness and bigness” of 1950s America – a time of excess, colour and creativity. The collection, which spans nine designs and three colourways presented in handwoven silk, wool and hemp, owes “as much to the work of great abstract artists and tapestry makers as it does to do-it-yourself painting kits from the era,” says Studio Shand Founder Benjamin Jay Shand.
The three colourways – Autumn, Spring and Summer – explore refreshing spectrums of greens and pinks, separated and softened by creamy hues. Autumn encompasses mossy green shades and emerald against a base of neutrals. In contrast, Summer is bright and warm, filled with rose, ochre and peachy tones. Spring is a delightful mélange of the two, weaving together both earthy and bright shades in pleasing uniformity. The nine designs are a refreshing interpretation of modernist principles; there are curves and arches, overlapping lines and intersecting planes. Symmetry and pattern are strong themes and have been used in abundance – offset by a surprising twist here or there – while rounded edges rest easy alongside distinctive shapes.
Influenced heavily by the dialogue between textile design and architecture, the Sirius Building in Sydney was the ideal location to present this collection. Selected for the symmetry in its architectural expression, which is emulated in the designs, the rugs appear at home in this iconic building. Overlapping and paired with each other in expansive spaces, the collection can be easily appreciated in its fullness. Slide and Flip channel architectural and graphic influences of the 1950s to perfection; thick, purposeful lines bend and overlap in pleasing harmony, reminiscent of joyful branding true to the era. Meanwhile, Twist, Echo and Rise encompass a sense of 1950s Hollywood Regency glamour, pairing oversized circles with slightly metallic tones. Bloom and Fold are mesmerising in their ordered disarray; swirls and straight lines create repeated and flowing patterns discernible only from afar. In contrast, Step and Touch are minimal – defined by repetitive, thick lines arranged in angular formations – a nod to modernist Californian architecture.
Not only is the SUPERGRAPHICS collection meticulously designed and made, but it is also proudly GoodWeave-approved. GoodWeave aims to end child labour by creating transparency in global supply chains and “ensures ethical working conditions for the artisans, weavers and staff involved in production.” Stemming from Cadrys’s long-term partnership with the non-profit network, it was crucial that this contemporary collection promote these same values.
SUPERGRAPHICS fuses a decidedly modern mindset with age-old tradition and genuine values. Presented against the backdrop of the Sirius Building, the bold tones of this collections are subdued and the patterns are softened, illustrating the collection’s versatility within the home. The effect is at once calming and characterful.
