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Elsworthy and Wang’s massive eco-smart hand-knits show the designers’ architectural roots
WHO: Elsworthy Wang (www.elsworthywang.com)
SIGNATURE PRODUCT: If knitting were an extreme sport like cage fighting, William Elsworthy and Deborah Wang would be walking around in gold belts embossed with balls of yarn. The duo hand-knit massive wall hangings, loosely woven scarves and other home products from unconventional materials including dip-dyed canvas,wire clothesline and a pair of supersize walnut needles.
Photo By Kathryn Gaitens
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: Elsworthy and Wang share an architecture background (Elsworthy designs for Teeple Architects and Wang for KPMB), so they’re into site-specific installations and material curiosity for their own after-hours design projects. A devout ecoholism means many of those materials are found and recycled.
Photo By Kathryn Gaitens
NEW WORKS: After casting on their concept at the Gladstone’s Big Fibre, Little Fibre show in October with a giant tapestry landscape knit with natural green and brown cotton strips, the duo open their first solo show in the Made (867 Dundas West, 416-607-6384, www.madedesign.ca) cooler on May 8. Look for a cozy, interactive and tactile space full of upscale knits and purls.
Photo By Kathryn Gaitens
WHERE TO BUY IT: Prices range from $110 for scarves made with wool and cotton remnants to $1,200 for a signature hanging that can also double as a blanket or throw. Available at Made.