PRESENTING THE SONANCE RUG COLLECTION
The Chord rug design explores the concept of musical tones sounding simultaneously.
We are delighted to present Creative Matters’ twelfth and most recent collection of handknotted rugs. Yet another outstanding contemporary compilation of carefully considered designs brought to life in Tibetan wool and Chinese silk by the artisans of Nepal. Titled Sonance, the collection asks (and answers) the question: can sound be reflected and re-imagined through art.
The Ambient design is a gorgeous watercolour collage that has us hearing gentle music all around.
We first introduced the collection at the COVER Connect tradeshow in September 2021 but because of the pandemic, it has been a slower process assembling all the designs. We will however be able to put on a full reveal at COVER Connect this coming September.
The Prism design with its smooth curved edge in one corner is a beautiful interpretation of an acoustic prism where sound waves bend or spread out.
The full reveal includes a unique offering - gradient rugs. “We began the gradient rugs as complements to our Sonance Collection so that a client could use a gradient rug in the same home - even the same room - as one of the other main Sonance designs and they would sit together successfully,” said Carol Sebert, Partner. “Creative Matters gradient rugs are an unusual blending of colours to create the gradients, not just one tone light to dark but instead warm tones to cool tones or even colours on opposite sides of the colour wheel from green to pink.”
The Chord gradient rug from the Sonance Collection.
Another first for this collection was developing it while the team worked remotely compared to the usual in-person collaborative system. “There was a lot more waiting time in between stages and more logistics involved as we sent the colour poms (wool samples) back and forth to one another,” said Clémence Hardelay, Design Director who led the process.
Creative Matters Resonant design presents two motifs echoing one to the other through the skilled use of texture and colour.
Lively colour plays a significant role in the Sonance designs. “Colour makes all the difference - I believe we explored colour in more depth for this collection. Incredible attention was paid to every hue selected, resulting in a fresh, contemporary palette that satisfies both cool- and warm-toned spaces,” said Senior Designer Kayla Bortolotto.
In the Hymn design, overlapping oscillating overtones converge to produce a meditative design.
Much as we love our collection designs as they are, we are also happy to customize them in size, colour, shape and scale. In fact, we have already ordered custom versions of Ambient, Chord and some of the gradient rugs for clients whose interior spaces require something very special.
The Hymn design receiving finishing treatments at the mill in Nepal.
We would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts made by our mill in Nepal to produce the Sonance collection during the pandemic. And also the critical role played by our fair trade endorser Label STEP who looked after the workers during the worst times. Having completed the first designs for Sonace, we are delighted that the mill now has a new design “Rubato” and some new colourways currently on the looms. The collection is destined to dazzle at COVER Connect.
A sample of the Rubato design that will be ready for the show in September.
From exploring painting techniques in our Toronto studio, to the dyeing and weaving processes in Nepal, watch this video to see how the Sonance Collection came to life.