- Art & Design
Mia Karlova Galerie is excited to return to Salon Art + Design in New York this year, a highlight for collectors, art lovers and design enthusiasts. After a hugely successful debut in 2023, the Amsterdam-based gallery will continue its unique vision of contemporary design, curating yet another collection of refined, innovative works. Mia Karlova Galerie’s booth at the fair will be a fascinating collection of art.
Founder and curator Mia Karlova’s vision is to bring together design objects that go beyond aesthetics and create a deeper connection with the audience. “We believe in design that goes beyond the surface and invites a deeper emotional connection,” says Karlova. The selected works reflect this philosophy, where they are not only functional but also invite interaction and contemplation. Each object in the collection is a story in itself, created by international designers who cherish a connection with their material and want to evoke emotions through their art. 
An example of this philosophy can be seen in Mariekke Jansen’s lounge chairs. She makes chairs by hand from discarded wool, which is carefully folded into itself to create a sturdy yet soft seating piece. Her work is an ode to sustainability, where the mundane is transformed into the luxurious. The combination of traditional techniques such as tufting and felting gives Jansen’s creations a texture and resilience that emphasizes the inherent qualities of wool. The end result? Chairs that are as functional as they are artistic, with an eco-conscious slant that enriches contemporary design. Barcelona-based designer Jordi Sarrate experiments with wood and denim in a line of furniture that is more than practical; it is a sculpture that invites touch and exploration. His collection, made from Iberian walnut and finished with an indigo patina, carries the rebellion and freedom that denim symbolizes. In the weathered texture of the wood and the deep blue of the denim, Sarrate reveals a story of identity and personal expression. Each piece, whether a table, console or stool, lives with the times, just like the material from which it is made.
De tentoonstelling van Mia Karlova Galerie bij Salon Art + Design toont een overtuigend geheel van internationale stemmen die elk hun eigen boodschap uitdragen
Japanese studio Yochiya approaches the age-old craft of cloisonné in a modern and intuitive way. By combining traditional techniques such as shippō-yaki – a process in which vibrant enamel is applied to metal surfaces – with contemporary methods such as welding and hydraulic pressure, Yochiya redefines what cloisonné can be. The studio’s Shippo vases demonstrate how the unexpected and the coincidental can result in something beautiful and innovative. Each vase in this series not only evokes Japanese craftsmanship, but also shows how modern techniques enrich this heritage. With Beacon of Light, Dutch designer Jesse Visser reveals an enchanting balance between light and matter. Consisting of a boulder supporting a glass sphere, the work is inspired by the simplicity and strength of natural materials. Visser added a crystal gemstone to this design, creating a serene atmosphere that calms and enlightens the viewer. The ethereal appearance of the sandblasted glass sphere offers a subtle, peaceful light, contrasting with the robustness of the stone. Olga Engel also translates personal memories into her work, most notably in a chandelier inspired by the ritual of a grandmother hanging up clothes. Engel harnesses the power of simplicity and emotion in her minimalist approach, with her work inviting reflection on love and generations. These pieces evoke universal recognition and show how design can be both tender and powerful. Jordan van der Ven transforms industrial rebar into fluid, graceful sculptures. His Curved Sculptures chairs seem to defy gravity by bending the hardness of the material and covering it with cement. The result is a sculptural piece of furniture that feels solid and light, a reflection of contrasts that excite the viewer and challenge the perception of everyday materials. Vadim Kibardin pushes the boundaries of reuse with his iconic Black Pearl chair, made from recycled cardboard. The chair is a minimalist work of art that is both visually appealing and environmentally conscious. His work emphasizes that even the most modest materials can have an aesthetic power and can encourage the viewer to reflect on the beauty of reuse. Yulia Batyrova and Marat Mukhametov bring the transience of the elusive to life with their works. Made from hundreds of porcelain elements, their sculptures seem to move and change as the viewer’s perspective shifts. This work captures a delicate tension between strength and fragility, fluidity and permanence. Ukrainian artists Olesya and Andriy Voznicki explore the desire to connect with the natural world through their use of recycled materials. Their sculpture, Orchestrating the Chaos, offers a meditation on maturity and self-discovery, inviting the viewer to embrace personal chaos as part of a larger whole. Finally, Ukrainian ceramic artist Valeriya Isyak introduces a series of wall panels formed by thousands of porcelain petals, each one crafted with care. Her work is a reflection on global themes, embodied in a vulnerable yet powerful art form that invites the viewer to reflect on the beauty and strength of fragile things. 
Mia Karlova Galerie’s exhibition at Salon Art + Design showcases a compelling ensemble of international voices, each with their own story and message. In this collection of refined collectibles, functional sculptures and mixed media, art is brought to life through material, memory and emotion, making Mia Karlova’s booth a must-see for anyone who wants to experience how profound design can be.
Photography by Stéphane Aboudaram
Text by Celien Hemelaer