Swedish industrial designer Matti Klenell graduated from the Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, Sweden, in 1999. Matti has become known for his innovative take on the Scandinavian idea of the intrinsic link between form and function.
“His sense of form is exceptional – he can draw a slick line in his sleep, ” writes Mark Isitt. “But for him the challenge lies rather in bringing life to his subjects, giving them character and personality. And always within the limits imposed by manufacturing techniques. He claims to welcome the restraints that come with mass production methods, as if no restriction could be narrow enough to devalue his personal idiom. ”
In 2000 he founded his own company, the Matti Klenell Studio, which works with various design commissions for a large number of clients. Apart from projects to be produced serially, the studio also develops limited edition works as well as public and private art commissions.
”In a way I think you could describe my working method as quite old school, ” Matti explains. “It has a resemblance to the early years of industrialism, before the term ‘industrial designer’ was invented. Then artists were hired by the industry to create everyday objects. I know it is a very romantic image of my practice but at the same time it’s quite true. I aim to combine artistic skills with a knowledge of industrial production as well as the demands of contemporary architecture. ”
Matti has been crowned designer of the year in Sweden, and has won several prestigious national and international awards. In 2003, he was awarded the prestigious Ljunggren Design Prize and his work is represented in the permanent collections of various museums.