Design Miami 2024

Who is Grun’? A magical forest inhabitant that lives in the Ukrainian Polesia, among ancient swamps and mossy forests, embodying a timeless essence, keeping the wisdom of the ages and giving peace and inspiration for what lies ahead.Forests and swamps are places, preserving the echoes of humanity's dawn and the origins of history. They are both ancient keepers of stories and ever-renewing organisms that stretch toward the future, reminding us that even through change, the essence of nature remains a source of ancient wisdom and renewal.

“To envision the future, we must draw upon the knowledge and wisdom of the past. There are still places on this planet that carry the memories of centuries—living, breathing spaces that appear timeless while continually evolving. These sites embody the essence of the land and reflect a time when people were profoundly rooted in their surroundings, deeply connected to the world around them” - Victoria Yakusha

In addition to the Grun’ collection, the exhibition will feature iconic pieces from Victoria Yakusha’s celebrated works. These include the Tiara vase, meticulously crafted from Ukrainian clay and distinguished by the unique blue-beige topaz from the Volyn' region. Also on display will be Soncehryv, one of the mystical creature-guardians from the Land of Light collection—a symbolic figure associated with the discovery of joy and inner light. The Land of Light collection, with Soncehryv at its center, was met with great success at Design Miami 2023.Forests and swamps hold the echoes of humanity's earliest days, serving as both protectors of ancient stories and ever-changing entities that evolve toward the future. They remind us that despite the shifts around us, nature’s core remains a wellspring of timeless wisdom and renewal

PRESS RELEASE

The Grun’ chair and armchair embody the spirit of animism in a single, captivating design. The dark green upholstery evokes the lush, moss-covered hills of the forest, enhancing its organic appeal. With a whimsical form reminiscent of a magical forest creature, these pieces feature elongated, ear-like accents that invite the imagination, drawing inspiration from the mysteries of nature. Its wide, solid base seems to draw energy from the earth and marshes, while the "antennae" reach upward, symbolizing a connection to the sky and the future. Sitting within, you find yourself cradled between the wisdom of the past and the inspiration of the future, enveloped by a sense of energy that feels almost alive.

Grun’ armchair boast a unique shape that captivates the eye. Its wide, solid base taps into the memory of centuries, drawing from the earth and marshes to channel energy upward through its "antennae," reaching for the sky and the future. Perched in the center, you find yourself nestled between the wisdom of the past and the inspiration of the future, enveloped by an intense, almost palpable energy that transcends easy description.

The collection embodies a profound connection to nature, utilizing natural materials: wood, glass, a unique eco-blend Ztista.Each piece is chosen to capture the spirit of a magical forest while embodying Victoria Yakusha's philosophy of "live minimalism."Handcrafted with care, every item radiates the artisan's unique energy, resulting in creations that feel alive and distinctive. The textures evoke the details of the forest, from the surface of tree leaves to the patterns of tree bark and the tubular forms of forest mushrooms. The wood is carved to mimic the texture of mushrooms, while the signature Ztista material—an eco-conscious blend of clay, natural fibers, and organic biopolymer—perfectly reflects the essence of bark.The collection's lamps showcase glass blown using the traditional Ukrainian technique of gutnitstvo, a craft passed down through generations. This dedication to traditional methods and storytelling transforms each piece into not just a functional item but a narrative of craftsmanship and nature's beauty.

The bench further explores the theme of animism, featuring forms that evoke a sense of life. Inspired by nature's organic shapes, it captures the essence of animism with a fanciful design that recalls the charm of a magical forest creature.

The Grun’ lamp is handcrafted, combining the signature eco-conscious ZTISTA blend with blown glass. This glass is created using the traditional Ukrainian glassblowing technique known as gutnitstvo, a practice that has been passed down through generations. Each lamp is unique and reflects the skill and artistry of its maker

The lamp recalls the enchanting appearance of trees in a mystical forest. When illuminated, it casts a warm, gentle glow that dances in the shadows, transforming the ambiance of the room into a serene and magical environment.

The hand-carved wooden tabletop evokes a sunlit clearing deep within an enchanted forest, embraced by hills and boulders. This mystical space unites all the creatures and spirits of the woods, where every being finds what it dreams about—only what is truly meant for its own good. These tables are a limited edition of 12 pieces.

A special version, the Grun' Dewlit chair and armchair, are adorned with hand-embroidered beaded accents that evoke the image of a morning forest where dew sparkles on moss in the light of the rising sun

Grun’

Grun’ Bench

Grun' table big

Grun’ big floor lamp

Grun’ armchair

Grun’ floor lamp

Grun’ Bed

Grun’ chair

Grun' table

Dewlit Armchair

Dewlit chair

"The Land of Light" collection embodies resilience and a belief in goodness during challenging times. It serves as a set of guiding companions to navigate through darkness, with each creature possessing a distinctive superpower. These creatures come to life when engaged through expressions of love, touch, and belief.

LAND OF LIGHT

Sontsehryv land of light

Dovhovukh land of light

Neboshyi land of light

Shvydkonih land of light

Dovhovukh sculpture

Neboshy sculpture

Shvydkonih sculpture

Sontsehryv sculpture

SKARB [ukrainian for treasure]I turned to the theme of treasure for a reason.A treasure is something that can be stolen but cannot be taken away.A treasure is something that lives in the heart of everyone who remembers themselves.A treasure is about something very dear to you, something that will always be yours, something that cannot be appropriated.

Tiara

Tiara vase Big

Tiara vase Medium

Tiara vase Small

Volyk — a derivative of the Ukrainian word for “freedom”.

The author’s idea — to create something life- affirming and pure in its nature resulted in a series of animistic creatures with a free character. Hand- sculpted with a sustainable material in a technique once employed for wall-finish in traditional Ukrainian dwellings, the primitive benches stay true to Victoria Yakusha’s philosophy of live design.

Duzhyi /sturdy in Ukrainian/

These design pieces, with their earthy and raw forms, echo our innate yearning for a solid foundation beneath us.

The unique texture of each piece holds the enigma of its artisanal birth, channeling the spirit of Ukrainian craftsmanship into every singular form. The Duzhyi collection is crafted from the sustainable ZTISTA material, a signature blend of natural elements by Victoria Yakusha. The unique texture of each piece holds the enigma of its artisanal birth, channeling the spirit of Ukrainian craftsmanship into every singular form.

STEPPING ON UKRAINIAN SOIL

VOLYKY BENCHES

DUZHYI stool big

DUZHYI stool duzhyi-duzhyi

DUZHYI stool medium

DUZHYI stool small