We’ve previously extolled the virtues of Fjällräven’s now iconic backpack the Kånken. Covering the initial launch of their special edition Kånken Art packs.
So given the fifth instalment of the series just dropped yesterday, we thought it high time to cast our eye of the latest iteration of this global phenomenon.
The Kånken was first produced in 1978. A practical solution to the back problems plaguing the Swedish population at the time. Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin decided to focus on comfort and functionality with his new school bag for kids suffering from lugging around heavy books, and the Kånken was born.
Kånken fittingly means “to carry” in Swedish. And its practical design is carried around by millions across the globe in all different sizes, colours and indded materials from the Re-Kånken, made from recycled plastic bottles to the Tree-Kånken, made from fabric using only raw material from Swedish trees.
This year Swedish illustrator, graphic designer and artist Martin Ander, aka Mander, has used the backpack as his canvas to express his relationship with nature, resulting in a rather beautiful result.
His design is characterised by his unique urban skateboard style, but remixed with shapes and patterns he found in nature. Specifically, super-magnified images of leaves, wood, lichen, and moss.
On what his inspiration was for this project, Mander said, “I’m generally more of a street guy, but I love nature.” Early on in the pandemic, the artist was living with his family in Sörmland, a region to the south of Stockholm renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings.
“My family and I started walking a lot – walking in the woods close to home and doing one-day hikes. I started looking for the structures and patterns in nature and began to draw them in my style. The closer I looked, the more structures appeared on stones, leaves, fungus, and moss, for example. So that was the foundation for the repeated pattern you see on the Kånken Art.” – Mander
Internationally known for his bold punk and fanzine designs on skateboards, album covers, and posters, Mander blended his intricate vision of nature with his signature style for Kånken Art ‘23.
In the hope of inspiring other artists to let their natural and urban surroundings inspire them to get creative, Mander wanted this year’s Kånken Art project to include some special artist supplies. So, a pen case and a sketch pad are included in the Kånken Art Plus. These coordinating accessories are also designed with the same vibrant or grayscale patterned design featured on the bag.
This year’s Kånken Art series includes the Kånken Art Plus (with sketch pad and pen case), the Kånken Art Hip Pack, the Kånken Art Mini as well as apparel for the first time – the Kånken Art T-Shirt M and W and a new Kånken Art Bandana.
Discover more about the 2023 Kånken Art at www.fjallraven.com
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