During the joint event La Famiglia, Umo Art & Design and Hofstede Raanhuis will present part of their collection, in which art and interiors powerfully complement each other. On Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May, both parties will show how their worlds complement each other beautifully and how art can have a natural place within an interior. "The whole interior deserves attention, not just the artwork," says Maurits Pit of Umo Art & Design.

Joining forces
Visitors to the event can immerse themselves in an environment full of artworks matched to the space in which they are placed. It is not the artwork that is the starting point, but rather the context. "We work with raw materials, behind glass or on canvas," Maurits explains. "Our approach is to level art within the interior, as an extension of the design."

The collaboration between Umo Art & Design and Hofstede Raanhuis came naturally. During a meeting between Maurits Pit and Jaap van der Starre, there was an immediate click. "We found out that we often work with the same clients. Architects and interior designers regularly engage us and appreciate that we work with the travelling gallery. This means that we physically bring artworks to projects to advise and combine with the interior on the spot. This is how we make the creative process tangible and complete."

New collections and collaborations
The presentation will not only feature works by us, but also Hofstede Raanhuis' new The Synergy Collection, which was recently on view during Design Week in Milan. In addition, new collaborations with brands such as Bombyxx and Van Besouw will be shown, reinforcing the overall concept.

Pride and craftsmanship
Umo Art & Design's abstract art is handmade. Each piece is unique, but can be recreated in similar style. This makes it suitable for 3D design and project design, among other things. "We want to convey a sense of pride. Our art really comes into its own in the spaces it is intended for," Maurits explains. "We work with regular artists and continuously release new works. Right now, for example, we are working on a commission for the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam."

Sustainability also plays an important role. Only water-based paint and certified wood are used. "Our canvases are of high quality and the wood we use is responsibly produced," says Maurits. We only make something once the work is ordered. As a result, we avoid waste and each work remains almost identical to the original."

Personal favourites
Asked about his personal favourites, Maurits immediately mentions The Art of Washi Paper. "We make these using a traditional technique on special washi paper. Nobody does this like us. They now hang at Hofstede Raanhuis and also in the Okura Hotel." He is also super enthusiastic about the works by artist Elian Baartman: "We have a pleasant cooperation with her and I am very proud of what we are creating together."

With the driving gallery and its various collections, Umo Art & Design positions itself as an important link between art and interior design. This approach has made them increasingly relevant to interior design professionals in recent years.