Copenhagen based design studio Atelier Cph has been around for six-years, and their work, while recognised in Europe, is finally gaining global traction with the help of international partners like Hong Kong-based Leslie Tsang, founder of One On One Creative- and brand representative for the region. Those who know Leslie, like I do, know her work with her own line of luxury everyday wear-Movers & Cashmere, and know she loves Scandinavian design and aesthetics. Atelier Cph founders, Sara Ingemann and Mandy Rep, met Leslie through Norm Architects, who staged Leslie’s photo-shoot for look books and marketing images of her fashion line, which have since published in various magazines, like Kinfolk.

mandy and sara atelier cph (1).jpeg — “In a world where we constantly get overloaded with images, we want to create pieces with a good balance in form and colours that doesn’t create too much noise or asking too many questions.” - Atelier Cph

Photograph provided by Atelier Cph.

Atelier Cph offers high quality prints, original artworks (as a special order), and sculptures produced and fabricated in Europe, and then shipped globally in very reasonable price-points. Our studio has had our eye on the offerings of Atelier Cph, especially for residential and restaurant clients of ours looking to style and fill a space with tasteful arts and objects, that are thoughtful, considered, and without that overly commercial sheen that you get from most print studios. And now, via Leslie- Atelier Cph is in Hong Kong and Asia. Below is our interview with Sara and Mandy from Atelier Cph and Leslie as well.

“It has a huge potential in Asia as people seek for a timeless, calm, sophisticated and elegant home interior environment.” - Leslie Tsang

Photo provided by Leslie Tsang, One on One Creative.

JJ: Tell us about the work of your design studio and the work you do for Atelier Cph, in terms of prints and sculptures?

Atelier Cph: Atelier Cph was established in 2012 as a space for artistic expression and creative development. We create art work, sculptures and prints both for our own brand as well as for various brands and exhibitions, with a high focus on tactility, quality and like to experiment with new techniques, textures and materials. We are always searching for new forms of expression.

We started making our Atelier Cph art print collections 6 years ago. This practice has developed into limited editions, bigger wall murals and sculptures over the years. It’s been exciting for us to start working with and create 3d objects as it comes very natural to the prints that we have been creating. When we create new artwork, we focus a lot on calmness and balance. In a world where we constantly get overloaded with images, we want to create pieces with a good balance in form and colours that doesn’t create too much noise or asking too many questions.

JJ: Your art exists outside the gallery, available globally and now expanding in Asia.

ACPH: We actually noticed that our art is very well received in Asia and find we have a lot in common with Asia in that with Danish design philosophy, we like clean and long lasting products and try to keep in mind to create work that is timeless. We love what we’re doing, especially with the focus on our process of creating and building our visual identity on our various digital platforms. We like being in control of both the design part, researching on new art movements, creating and developing visual content and making it all into a strong and recognizable brand profile.

Expanding to the Asian market and having Leslie from One on One Creative representing Atelier Cph work is something’s we look very much forward to. We met Leslie a year ago through architect Jonas from Norm Architects and quickly became friends. So it was a very natural expansion to start collaborating as we share a lot of the same creatives visions.

JJ: Leslie why did you choose to collaborate with Atelier Cph?

Leslie Tsang: I met Sara & Mandy in Copenhagen. I was always fond of their design work, and their art prints. We had always shared very similar mindset and aesthetic, and have always wanted to find an opportunity to collaborate. We were just chatting one day and catching-up and sending some of our recommendations for the Asia market to the designers, and then we thought it would be a great way of working together, to represent Atelier Cph’s art prints in the Asia market.

JJ: What is the inspiration that goes into your work?

ACPH: We’re often inspired by different art movements, architecture, the lines, pencil sketches and the choice of materials. Architecture tells so much about the history of places and it is tightly linked to different art movements. We are very inspired by modern architecture that merged in the 20th century, for example De Stijl, Bauhaus, Brutalist architecture and Constructivist architecture. At the same time, we find great inspiration in the minimalistic but artistic approach from these times and find it interesting to research the work by architects and artists, like Picasso, Fernand Léger, Jean Arp, Sonja Ferlov Mancoba & Agnes Martin.

We also find a lot of inspiration when we travel. It’s like using a new set of eyes, you can get inspired by the smallest things. As soon as you don’t have to be creative that’s when you find the treasures. For us it’s also very important to take time off and to disappear into the nature, to rewind and to recharge. As soon as the mind gets quiet the new ideas and power to create starts to flow.

JJ: Leslie, what do you like about their design?

LT: Scandinavian designs are known for their beautiful timeless minimal designs, craftsmanship and functionality. It is an elegant balance of practicality and sophistication, which at the same time creates an inviting and calming environment to the space. Its neutral palettes makes it perfect for any room, and practical to move around to mix and match other interior arrangements.

I am observing an emerging Scandinavian trend in Asia, not limited to interior and art, but also in fashion, lifestyle, and dining concept. It has a huge potential in Asia as people seek for a timeless, calm, sophisticated and elegant home interior environment, and it works perfect to open up the space. I think the art prints answers to the market’s needs on its signature neutral, muted colours, abstract forms and clean lines.

Further to that, I think Atelier Cph’s poster prints definitely makes art more democratic and practical, making art accessible for everyone, but at the same time, with Atelier Cph’s use of textures, and layering in their art prints, it leaves a Scandinavian signature - human touch and tactility.

JJ: All the works seem abstract, pensive, meditative, and inward looking- why do you think works like this translate better in these times?

LT: Our fondness of lighter days, lighter colors, neutral palettes and simple forms brings us a sense of warmth, calmness and comfort at times like this. With everyone staying home, people tend to want to invest and bring along some cosy brighter touches to their space, that retreats from the realities of modern day life, especially with the unprecedent events of 2020. However, at the same time, 2020 also brings us enlightenment and a chance to rethink many things in life. Atelier Cph’s work also confronts the chaotic and turbulent 2020 with their new collection Realism which channels the disorderly design universe.

ACPH: We can’t wait to see what this will lead to and we hope to all meet up in Hong Kong when the pandemic is more under control and we can all travel safely again.