Fanny Ollas- Colorful minimalism & color therapy
Can color be minimalistic? Can colorful minimalism also be functional?
Fanny Ollas, a Stockholm-based artist and designer, has always had a deep-rooted passion for creating and colors. Her esthetics is playful and colorful, yet her work is often based on clean shapes and functional objects. When it comes to her own clothing she is a colorful minimalist at heart, always wearing simple garments but in bright colors, her favorite being pink. We were happy to notice that she loves her Bukvy Curie (link) for its functionality and the bright, tangerine colors and had to get to know a little more about her, her work and relationship to colorful minimalism. Join us to get to know Fanny and the concept of colorful, functional minimalism.
“Colorful minimalism for me is a way of making life simpler and little more fun”
From fast-fashion to emotional clay
Fanny’s journey into the world of art and ceramics began early, as she started sewing at the age of 12. However, after spending several years working in the fast-paced fashion industry, primarily in front of a computer, she longed to reconnect with the tactile and hands-on aspects of her creative instincts. In search of a new avenue for self-expression, Fanny decided to take a summer course in ceramics, and it was during this time that she became captivated by the transformative nature of clay. The ability to mold a lump of clay into any desired form fascinated her, and she discovered a profound connection with the material.
The newfound passion drove her to take a significant step in her artistic journey. Fanny decided to devote an entire year to studying a foundation program in ceramic art, and this experience provided her with the confidence to make a life-altering decision.
In 2016, Fanny took a leap of faith by quitting her job and enrolling in the MFA program at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts, and Design in Stockholm. This marked the turning point in her career, transitioning from the fast-paced world of fashion to a more contemplative and emotionally-driven approach to ceramics and textiles.
A mix of materials
Fanny's shift in career direction was prompted by her disenchantment with the commercial aspects of the fashion industry. She yearned to return to her creative roots and embark on a journey that allowed her to engage with an idea from its inception to its tangible realization. Ceramics offered her the opportunity to work with her hands, shaping and forming her creations from start to finish. What distinguishes Fanny's work in ceramics and textiles is its psychological and emotional underpinning.
She delves into the intimate relationship people have with everyday objects, recognizing them as powerful symbols and archetypes. By introducing unexpected elements or altering their form, she imbues these objects with human qualities and emotions. Fanny's art provides a unique avenue for individuals to connect with these objects on an emotional level, allowing them to convey feelings or experiences that words might not capture.
From the city to the archipelago
Fanny is born, raised and lives in Stockholm with her husband Martin and their son. After spending a large part of her childhood and early adult life in the city, the family shifted gear. Similar to her transition from fashion to ceramics, she and her husband bought a piece of land in the archipelago and embarked on a “crazy project” (her words) of drawing and building their own house on an island in the Stockholm archipelago. You can follow the house project on Instagram and via the program “Hemma hos inredningsarkitekten“ on SVT. The house is a perfect mix of craftmanship and colorful minimalism while mixing organic materials such as wood with pink.
“Moving to the archipelago has given me a new sense of calm that I suspected that I needed, but couldn’t really express.”
Being in nature is important to her, and she often spends time with her family in the outdoors. She is a huge fan of functional clothing that you can move around in. While having been annoyed by the color selection for outdoor wear, she is happy to have noticed that colors like pink, coral and burgundy red has entered the functional clothing scene.
Similarly, when picking an everyday bag, she wanted a practical bag that could carry all her things, but preferably not in black. Choosing a tangerine Curie gave her a comfortable backpack in mixed materials with a twist of color. A perfect match, one could argue
Playful and colorful
Fanny's artistic creations often take on a playful and feminine aesthetic. However, they are also marked by a touch of sadness, depicted as if they are in a state of defeat or melancholy. These objects, whether resembling self-portraits, portraying emotions, or depicting specific situations, aim to encapsulate the complexity of the human experience. Fanny believes that life frequently oscillates between moments of tragedy and comedy, and her work strives to capture the essence of this delicate balance. Her objects are generally perceived as characters by the audience, who often find them endearing while also discerning deeper layers of meaning.
“I think colors often depicts an emotion, but that colors can have different meaning to different people. Pink is often perceived as a happy color, but you can be sad even though you wear happy colors. Not everything is as it seems always.”
Textiles and ceramics serve as Fanny's primary artistic mediums. She has an intimate knowledge of both materials and finds it fascinating to blend them, despite their stark differences. In her creative process, Fanny treats textiles and ceramics with the same level of dedication. The addition of textiles introduces a reference to clothing and the human body, lending her objects a more human quality. Her creative process is often guided by the clay's natural flow and her emotional response to it.
Colorful and functional minimalism
Fanny Ollas' artistic journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the intricate relationship between art, craft, psychology, and the human experience. Her work, characterized by its fusion of ceramics and textiles, delves into the emotions and vulnerabilities that connect us to everyday objects, creating a bridge between the ordinary and the extraordinary in the realm of art and design. Fanny continues to explore and express the human condition through her unique creations in her studio in Gustavsberg. Her studio is clean, white but filled with pink details. The clean surfaces and the minimal white and pink color scheme makes it easier for her to concentrate and to focus on her work. When doing so, the functional aspect comes back again. Creating huge vases is hard work and physically demanding. Others might wear jeans or loose pants for this task. Fanny, on the other hand, usually wear free flowing pink dresses when creating.
“Functional wear doesn’t have to be black and boring. The important thing is to be comfortable. The most functional and comfortable thing for me to wear is a free flowing, pink dress. It’s a mind-set”.
The same goes for everyday objects. Your dish brush does not have to be grey, your paper towel does not have to be white, and your masking tape certainly can be pink!
We love Fanny, we love her art and we love her lover for color. When brining color into her everyday life, life gets a little nicer. And a little more fun!
Want to see more colorful minimalism?
Check out Fannys instagram and homepage or visit The Ode to