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Kaja Dahl and Njål Andreassen in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo

Håndverk+ showcases design objects that symbolise transformation

Giant flower sculptures, a chair made out of tree stumps and a set of mini troughs all feature in a showcase of design and craft at Galleri Format Oslo.

The Oslo gallery is presenting the fifth edition of Håndverk+, an annual project that brings together emerging designers and makers to create experimental objects.

Nora Kielland in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Nora Kielland presents A New Alphabet, a series of large tulip sculptures

The exhibition features 19 projects, each designed to respond to the theme Transformation. Some explore a transformation through material or process, while others refer to movements of the body or changes in nature.

Among the most eye-catching pieces in the show are Nora Kielland's tulip sculptures, which she created using clay, plaster and chicken wire.

Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng and Marthine Spinnangr in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Marthine Spinnangr's Palucca chair sits alongside Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng's wood sculpture, Roundabout

Marthine Spinnangr's highly textured earthenware chair takes its cues from dance movements, while Kaja Dahl  and Njål Andreassen present an object that could be a seat or a table, made out of two pine tree stumps.

Smaller objects on show include Guri Sandvik's multi-tonal clay bowls, which takes their cues from traditional Norwegian troughs, and a trio of wooden dishes by Jenkins & Uhnger.

Guri Sandvik in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Guri Sandvik's Trough bowls are inspired by old Norwegian troughs

Norwegian design collective Fold Oslo produced a playful collection of hooks and handles, all made out of scrap material from the Linaker furniture workshop.

One of the collective's members, Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng, also contributed a hanging wooden sculpture featuring unique patterns in its grain.

It was made using sour birch, which is wood was harvested after it has fallen and was already under attack by fungus.

Also using waste wood, Fredrik Bull and Ali Shah Gallefoss teamed up to create abstract furniture pieces that interlock thanks to zigzagging surfaces.

Fold Oslo in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Fold Oslo presents One-Two Wooden Pegs, a series of hooks and handles made from wood offcuts

The only textile work in the show comes from Elisabeth Stray Pedersen, founder of fashion label ESP, who has turned fabric offcuts into multi-purpose garments. Her designs include a jacket that doubles as a blanket and a seat pad that can be used as a bag.

Other works include Anette Krogstad's ceramic flowers and Ytre's aluminium reinterpretation of the traditional milk stool.

Elisabeth Stray Pedersen in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Elisabeth Stray Pedersen has created multi-purpose textile objects

Exhibition curator Kirsten Visdal said the aim behind the theme Transformation was to tap into "political and societal shifts which undoubtedly affect how we express ourselves through aesthetics and function".

"There lies a risk in unsettling something deap-seated when we touch upon the ingrained, the safe and the traditional," she said.

Jenkins&Uhnger in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Gain is a set of dishes by Jenkins & Uhnger that explore geometric transformations

"At the same time, transformation is a tool that lets us give tribute to cultural heritage, by creating new interpretations, new stories and new objects to carry on the tradition," she continued.

"This enables new identity and new safe spaces for future generations."

Håndverk+ is on show at Galleri Format Oslo from 22 September to 30 October 2022. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

More images

Marthine Spinnangr in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Ali Gallefoss & Fredrik Bull in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Ali Gallefoss & Fredrik Bull in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Ytre in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Anette Krogstad in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Anette Krogstad in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Kaja Dahl in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Kaja Dahl in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo
Fold Oslo in Håndverk at Galleri Format Oslo