Our Story
Colorful stories inspired by the world’s cultures.
The desire to capture unique memories of travel.
An undeniable passion for prints & patterns.
Gallerie Varda products are inspired by Varda’s multilingual and multicultural upbringing in Israel, and by a subsequent lifetime of exploration. Her work celebrates the wonders of the world’s unique cultures by transforming them into art and design objects for people to cherish in their own homes and lives.
In her own words:
A View through the Glass:
the Story behind the Studio
Glass is truly the medium of enchantment.
Glass delivers endless creative possibilities when it comes to color, shape, opacity, transparency, and texture. The diversity of creative choice is a dream for me as an artist; it allows me to play, experiment, and discover unique ways to express myself. I use glass similar to how a quilter uses fabric: Using a technique called kiln-formed glass,
I fuse pieces of glass in a hot kiln into one unified piece. I create a ‘canvas’ from which I score, cut, break and reassemble a finished whole, creating a complex and harmonious work of art that is achieved through many layers of color and texture. My finished pieces are narratives from a distinct time and place in the world around us.
Prints + Patterns as Passports to Memory:
The Story Behind the Shop
Fueled by a passion for color and texture.
I began the design shop with a collection of ethnic and vintage fabrics, curated from around the globe. While that satisfied my urge as a collector, it didn’t provide enough of an outlet for my imagination.
The more I traveled, the more I encountered culturally-unique color combinations, deliciously sensual textures, and so, so many stunningly complex and fascinating patterns. The fabrics, architectures, natural landscapes - the very people of each new city and culture I visited - gave me an itch to CREATE, not just curate.
My foray into prints + patterns began with several of my favorite glass works. Every time I looked at them, I couldn’t help but imagine,
“What would these look like in fabric? How would it change the encounter if you could feel the texture of the design? What if this print was on a pillow or a throw, so you could surround yourself with the experience instead of just gazing at it?”
The Design Shop came to life building on this initial set of curated fabrics, and continuing with translating the sculptural work onto fabric, creating a brand new expression of memory. It has since evolved into a collection of sketches, patterns, paintings, and glasswork that I print onto a variety of textiles - including linens, scarves, and cushion covers. I hope you cherish these pieces as deeply as I cherish the moments that inspired each one.