RYA
Rya rugs have a long and rich history that is deeply rooted in traditional Scandinavian textile crafts, with origins that trace back to the Viking Age. Initially, these beautiful pieces served practical purposes, functioning as warm bed coverings and protective garments against the cold climates of Northern Europe. Over the centuries, they evolved not only in function but also in aesthetic appeal, becoming cherished decorative items celebrated for their unique designs and remarkable longevity. Today, the art of creating a hand-knotted Rya rug using the traditional methods has become increasingly rare and precious. I am passionately reviving this age-old fiber art technique to create distinctive one-of-a-kind rugs and wall hangings that embody a modern artistic vibe while honoring the heritage of their origins.
If you are interested in exploring a collaboration or commissioning a RYA piece, please do not hesitate to reach out for further discussion.
This RYA is part of a carefully planned series of tapestries created in collaboration with Canadian artist Kim Dorland. The rug was designed from a digital image with colors mapped out on a grid. Each square on this grid, shown in the photo below, represents a unique hand-knotted piece of wool. In total, it has over 6,000 hand-knotted loops, showcasing the detailed artistry and time involved in its creation.
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Making RYA knots.
To create a RYA rug in the traditional way, each individual slot on the Swedish linen backing is meticulously looped with one carefully tied knot of high-quality wool. This particular piece, which showcases a long list of colors, was composed of over 6,000 knots.