Tylko x Ana Popescu: A Match Made in Furniture Heaven

If you’re not familiar with her name, you’ll probably still recognise her work. Ana’s style is instantly noticeable: using light and shadow as the core of her work, the artist combines brush strokes and dotted patterns to bring striking, bauhaus-inspired and modernist landscapes to life. 

Following our first collaboration, which felt like a match made in heaven, we’ve joined creative forces with Ana once again, this time to reimagine our Type02 Sideboard. Covered with her signature vibrant strokes, the result is a unique and playful furniture piece that would lighten up any room. 

We recently visited Ana in Vienna to check out the sights, discuss her creative process and help set up her very own Type02 in her home.

What does your creative process usually look like, and how does your work develop from an idea to a finished art piece?

I usually take a lot of pictures of scenery and details that appeal to me visually. Afterwards, I try to translate these ideas into my drawings. I work from those visuals in an abstract way, and combine different elements to paint the final picture. I work very instinctively, and my ideas stem from one piece to the other. My style and my way of working is an ongoing creative process that I’ve been developing throughout the last 5 years.

How did your idea for our collaboration take place?

I found it interesting to work with Tylko in exploring ideas that would work within the context of furniture design. Since I work alone most of the time, collaboration projects can feel very refreshing indeed. 

Also, seeing your work through the eyes of someone else, in this case Tylko’s, makes you see things in your art that you had never noticed before. We worked very closely to create a pattern that would both reflect my style, and match the design aesthetic of the brand. I think we achieved that pretty well!

Where do you find inspiration lately, and did the pandemic and lockdown restrictions affect your creativity in any way?

I always find inspiration in everyday life routines, in the small details of my surroundings, in the relationship between light and shade, and in architecture. 

The lockdown didn’t really affect my work directly. I can say that I had more time to work on my personal projects, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Your work focuses a lot on the relationship between inside and outside. Has the pandemic, and being forced to stay indoors changed your perception of this topic?

I wanted to go outside all the time — this feeling of having to stay inside is really something I don’t enjoy. Actually, since the pandemic has started, I think my work has been even more focused on that relationship. And on windows!

What type of environment do you feel most comfortable and creative in? 

I think most importantly is the light. My studio is facing south and it’s always very bright. Space is also a luxury that I am fond of. When I’m drawing, I love having a documentary playing in the background.

Colour is also an important element in your work. How does it play a part in your daily life, in your workspace and at home, and do the colours you surround yourself with hold any meaning?

I am fascinated by colour combinations, so I’m quite glad that my new apartment is filled with more bold colours than before. As my friend and residency partner, Martina Paukova, said: “The colours need to vibrate!” I think that defines how I feel pretty well.

Your paintings are seen as joyful. What are the emotions you’re looking to evoke through your work?

I think it’s interesting that they are seen as joyful, as for me they represent something a little bit mysterious — a feeling related to loneliness and observance. The colours I use give it a joyful aspect.


You once said that you are interested in how people relate to their surroundings. Can you explain further what you mean by that?

I like to observe how people adapt to nature and also how nature adapts to people. Seeing a building which represents something solid next to a tree which is not solid, everchanging and organic, is a fascinating contrast. I find it interesting how we as people try to push nature away to build ourselves a comfortable living, but then nature regains its territory.

Suddenly feeling inspired to spruce up your home? Discover our collection of customisable, modern furniture.

Please note: The product we created in collaboration with Ana Popescu is a showroom piece and will not be for sale. But stay tuned, we’re just getting started.