Kneip

Kneip is a design, craft and art studio founded by Jørgen Platou Willumsen and Stian Korntved Ruud. Together they share divergent experiences and knowledge that they use to make Kneip a diverse studio. Nature and craftsmanship are important sources of inspiration. Stian and Jørgen are interested in telling stories through their objects and have a high focus on quality. All products are handmade by Kneip, and are either unique or made in small series.

Jørgen and Stian work in a wide range of expressions and techniques, aiming to direct Kneip towards a meeting point between art, design and craftsmanship. Besides creating unique works of art they also design works for public spaces, conceptual projects and interiors.

Pat Vol 1 Sculptures: The Pat Vol designs are an experimental project in which Kneip is using various techniques to explore surfaces and colors of steel, copper and brass. Over time Kneip gained skills in how they can use chemicals to start processes that will make the metal oxidize. They kick start an oxidizing process that is in constant change during the creation of the surfaces. The outcome of this exploration is a series of sculptures that have close relations to some of their most important inspirations – nature, weather and geometry.

JØRGEN PLATOU WILLUMSEN (b.1986 in Norway)
Jørgen has always been curious about nature, materials and craft. Since he was a child the need for projects and finding solutions to different problems has been one of the biggest goals in his life. As Jørgen notes ” It is not about work, it’s all about a lifestyle”. He did never choose this way of living; it has always been this way. By exploring different fields of art, craft and design Jørgen does not see himself as a designer, craftsman or artist but as a maker. He wants the freedom to choose what he wants do to, and to make his everyday life divers.  In 2010 he completed his Bachelor degree in Product Design, and graduated with a masters degree in art in 2014.

STIAN KORNTVED RUUD (b. 1989 in Norway)
Through his innate fascination of how objects are made and assembled, he has always experimented, modified, repaired and destroyed the objects around him. After a formal education in product design at Akershus University College and the School of Architecture and Design in Oslo, as well as an internship at Tom Dixon in London, Stian’s focus has been on the natural and enforced properties of various materials, and making objects with pure functional or aesthetic features.