Burning coal is a major cause of carbon dioxide emissions. Despite this knowledge, the use of coal is increasing and it is expected to continue doing so. My project, “KOL”, is inspired by coal with its beautiful, shiny surface that stands in contrast to the materials’ devastating consequences for both man and earth.

When I developed this concept, I was fascinated by the many stories that the material carries and its history. All from the harsh life in the coal mines (like here in Skåne, Höganäs), innovation, development, fuel, or just the fact that a diamond is composed of carbon atoms arranged in a particular pattern. Somehow I got caught up in the contradiction that a material that has so much darkness and dirtiness to it can also be experienced as so incredibly beautiful visually.

In my fascination for the material, I decided to try to transfer that feeling of the material so that it would be reflected in both shape and material. That’s why I choose to make jars for jewellery because it’s associated with valuable things and that’s also why I choose to work with black MDF, since it’s a material with similar characteristics as coal. It has this powder that is black and sticks everywhere and it is also dangerous to inhale during production.

The side table is supposed to be an exaggerated almost kitschy interpretation of my own double feeling towards coal.