Care for a bit of abstract art on your walls? How about a millennial re-working of the great tapestries that adorned history’s most lavish residences? Artist Astrid Sylwan may have the product you’re looking for. Her Samum Art Fabric for manufacturer Marimekko is not only a Surrealist’s Dream, it’s a utilitarian wall covering as well.

Samum Art Fabric. Designed by Astrid Sylwan. Manufactured by Marimekko.

Marimekko’s Samum Art Fabric Adorns Your Walls With Unabashed Creativity

Sylwan has shown work with Finnish Textiles manufacturer Marimekko before. Her series of ceramic dinner ware, as well as her Doze Blanket and Irrbloss Duvet, have drawn significant acclaim, as they showcase her daring, vibrant original designs found in unlikely venues. But her Samum Art Fabric is perhaps her most impressive achievement to date.

The aesthetic of the Belgian-born Sylwan—whose early interaction with Marimekko included the outfitting of her childhood room (“a strong yellow striped wallpaper… as well as curtains with Maija Isola´s Unikko in navy blue, orange and yellow”), seems tailor-made for Marimekko, a manufacturer known for their vibrant, creative designs.

The origin of the word gives further insight into the meaning of the piece: Samum, “a strong, dry, dust-laden local wind that blows in the Sahara, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and the deserts of Arabian Peninsula,” is a visual abstraction that’s aptly characterized by Sylwan’s design. The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows suggest desert heat and light, while the overlapping, globular shapes impart texture and depth, as they evoke the inverse of the dry desert wind—rhythmically dripping teardrops of water.

Samum is 100% cotton. Its dimensions are 57″ (145 cm) wide  x 76” (194 cm) high with 1″ of selvage per side.

About the Manufacturer: Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing manufacturer. Established in 1951, the company boasts 60+ years of introducing the world to bold, innovative designs by accomplished artists. The company is known for infusing everyday objects with the vibrancy and passion of first tier art. Their product line includes everything from loose fabrics, to clothing, to home accessories (dinner ware, cups, runners, towels, and throws), to handbags and luggage.