New Ravenna Femme & Function

August 15, 2021

New Ravenna presents Femme & Function, a collection of handcrafted mosaics created in celebration of the innovation and artistry of women throughout history. The 20 designs in stone and glazed basalto were inspired by the legacy of women pioneers in functional art, focusing on five disciplines: quilting, pottery, embroidery, weaving and textiles. Inspirations span time periods and geography, from ancient Japanese Shibori hand-dying techniques to the use of geometry and subtle palettes by indigenous potters, from the traditional quilting patterns passed down through generations of unknown homemakers, to the natural motifs and painted textile work of the British arts and crafts movement.

Textured materials ,such as tumbled stones and metallic glazed basalto, are sprinkled in with a dimensional palette to capture the essence and interplay of woven goods and embroidery. These designs honor the creative mavens who often worked in obscurity, perfecting humble crafts and transforming traditions. The genius of generations of unnamed women can be seen in the innovation of styles of fabrication and of intricate decoration, adding their own artistry and personality to these useful goods. Because of their innate functionality, these pieces were often considered craft, not art. The tides began to change in the 60s-70s when the hard work of the feminist art movement, craft historians and archivists focused the world’s attention on these objects and unsung masters. Finally, these women and their works were elevated to the status of art, much like painting and sculpture.

The New Ravenna story intersects with the collection on several fronts. The company also creates decorative, functional goods, and New Ravenna is a female-founded organization, while the vast majority of staff is female. In addition, most in-house designs have been created by women during the company’s 30-year history. As a discipline, modern mosaics often fall into the category of craft rather than fine art, even though the processes and skills needed take decades to master.

Mosaics in the New Ravenna Femme & Function collection can be customized in size and color to suit the designer’s preferences. They can be installed on walls and floors, indoors and out.