(ANSA) - CAGLIARI, JAN 16 - The "Homage to Maria Lai" carpet, signed by Joias and designed by the artist Stefania Spanu, won the Carpet Design Awards 2023 in Germany as BestDesign Studio Artist Rugs on the occasion of Domotex, in Hanover , the most important international fair of handcrafted design products.
The 18th edition of Domotex, entitled "Floored by nature", had sustainability as its key theme and, after a two-year break due to the pandemic, returned to live exposure.
The award was given to the company from Tortolì, in Ogliastra, by the jury of the Board composed of Jamie Metrick, director of Elte, who chairs it, Nani Marquina of the Spanish brand of the same name, the creative director of RugVista AB Carin Terins, the artist interior designer Sandra Keja-Planken and decor8 founder and editor, Holly Becker.
"An astonishing execution that combines traditional technique with a very modern design", the motivation of the award.
The carpet takes its inspiration from the work of the artist from Ulassai, Legarsi alla montagna, translating it into a new textile creation.
Maria Lai's famous invention of 1981, considered the first idea of relational art in Italy, connected and united the small town of Ulassai to the mountain with a blue ribbon, creating an exceptional and unique encounter between art, people and landscape.
"Homage to Maria Lai" with its graphic design, rigorously produced in Sardinian wool, captures its essence and in an all-female operation with Elisabetta Usala, owner of Joias, the designer Stefania Spanu who designed the carpet and the Tessile Su cooperative Marmuri who woven it, elaborates the original work, obtaining among the twenty-four selected finalists, and the only Italian company in the competition, the coveted international recognition.
"It is a beautiful example of collaboration between business, design and craftsmanship that is not usual for Sardinia - comments Silvio Usala, owner together with his daughter Elisabetta di Joias -. I sincerely think that only united can we win".
(HANDLE).
