From Zhostovo Flowers to Old Masters

Flora explores nostalgic wall decor through the translation of historic decorative language into contemporary textile form. Inspired by the ornate floral tradition of Russian Zhostovo painting, the work replaces paint and lacquer with layers of reclaimed textiles. Fabric and thread become the medium. Each flower is cut, shaped and stitched by hand, recalling the luminous patterns once found on painted metal trays. 

The same technique is applied here as in Leaf, where the individual elements are also hand-cut before being shaped and assembled.

Rather than reproducing tradition, Flora reframes it. The work is part of the Heritage series, which examines how nostalgic wall decor can function beyond sentiment by reinterpreting cultural aesthetics through material-driven design. Historic craft traditions are not copied but translated, allowing ornament and function, history and renewal to coexist.

From tradition to transformation

This approach to nostalgic wall decor honours the visual richness of folk heritage while questioning how decorative languages can evolve in a post-industrial context. Every reused textile carries its own background, domestic, industrial or personal. Together, these fragments form a tactile archive of colour, pattern and material memory.

Visit the portfolio overview to explore related works within Historical wall panels and other contemporary wall objects.