Anny Wang describes herself as a visual artist and a furniture and spatial designer, but this Swedish born, Copenhagen based artist is probably way more than just that. She is the perfect multidisciplinary artist, with the ability to imprint her personal style in everything she creates. Her projects combine the right dose of pastel colours, a clean atmosphere, and 80’s and 90’s design reminiscences that will make you fall in love with her instantly.
Tell us a bit about yourself. We know that you were born in a small town in Sweden. But how did this affect you, in terms of discovering your interest in art?
My interest in art started with the choice of a high school program. I’m so happy that I dared to choose art and design –in my family, it was a bit revolting to pursue something artsy. There I learned so much about a whole new culture, and I just felt each day I liked it more and more. Then, of course, there is the ‘living in a small town’ effect: you get the feeling that the environment is limiting and you aim for something bigger. I think that feeling is something that goes with you throughout life.
What was the first thing that drew your attention to 3D design?
At the beginning I started using 3D software for interior and product design purposes. But I really enjoyed the rendering view and the endless possibilities to create whatever you want.
Last year you finished a bachelor in Fine Arts in Design by the School of Design and Crafts of Gothenburg. How would you describe the experience? What do you cherish the most from your experience there?
In retrospective, I’m very pleased with my education and what it has given me. It can be difficult to know who you are as a creative when you are young. Part of the school experience is about ‘finding yourself’. Once you realize that, you need to make sure of getting what you want for yourself. I made sure to use a lot of the tools and workshops the school provided. I think I took route in the third and last year of my bachelor.
You live between Copenhagen (Denmark) and Malmö (Sweden). Both cities have a rich and vibrant creative atmosphere. How does this environment influence you when it comes to creating your work?
I think you’re totally right. Such great atmospheres and people here! Surrounding myself with other creatives is very inspiring for me.
How would you say your role as a furniture designer influences your work as a visual artist and viceversa?
For me it’s the same work. At least there is a similar mindset or creative process behind the different fields. But the knowledge you get by working with your hands and with materials when building or working on furniture is unbeatable. That, of course, affects the world of 3D rendering. I think some realism from the furniture world with the materiality and physics follows to my 3D, and some surrealism from the 3D follows through to the furniture designs, stretching each other’s opposites.
We can sense references to the late 80’s design, as well as to the Memphis design group, in your portfolio. What other things have a direct impact on your work?
I think the 90’s era is a big part of it too; the fondness lies in growing up in the 90’s: so much nostalgia! Otherwise I love to flip through old art books, so I pick up stuff from a big spectrum of history’s timeline.
Your design work shows a combination of shapes, materials, colours, textures, etc., and this is something also present in Akin, your furniture collection. How do you manage to put those elements together, without affecting the clean aesthetic that defines your artwork?
I worked with a “dna”, a set of 33 cm long tubular steel, which are combined in different constellations to make these three furniture pieces. I think that is what made them not splay away too far and got a minimalistic neat look. I also worked with complementary colours and contrasts in order to enhance each other’s features, and the goal was to broaden the view of what a collection is.
Can you explain us your passion for pastel colours? Has it always been there or have you evolved to find that in your creative process?
Actually I just find pastel colours appealing for the eye. I don’t think it has always been there, I guess the 3D rendering has a partially role in that too. It is something about the rendering viewport and the easy way of mixing colours.
You are a multidisciplinary artist and you have already done quite a lot of things at a very young age. What do you feel should be the next step on your work, what do you feel like trying out next?
I am still learning a lot; the last year has been crazy. One thing I definitely know now is that I don’t need to rush anything. I am quite a bit of a workaholic and I need to learn how to say no to stuff more often.
But still it’s super fun to try new things. I don’t know what comes next, I think I have a lot more to explore within 3D and furniture.
But still it’s super fun to try new things. I don’t know what comes next, I think I have a lot more to explore within 3D and furniture.
Finally, we would love to know in what projects are you currently working.
I am currently collaborating with We Are The Faces on a capsule clothing collection, which is releasing very soon! First time to see my 3D work printed on fabric.
