IKEA unveils "powerful" first photos by artist-in-residence Annie Leibovitz

Swedish furniture brand IKEA has released two images from a series of photographs taken by Annie Leibovitz, its first-ever artist-in-residence, showing people in their homes across the world.

The American photographer, who is best known for her portraits, travelled to twenty-five homes around the globe to take photos of people in their residences. She visited houses and apartments in Sweden, India, Italy, Japan, Germany, England and the US.

"The home has always been important in my work," Leibovitz said when appointed artist-in-residence in 2023.

"I've been photographing people in their homes since I began," she added. "It's a way to understand who a person is. The advice I give to young photographers is to photograph their families. It's one of the best ways to start."

Leibovitz's photos for IKEA show a variety of different interiors in seven different countries.

"The result is a powerful photographic document that illuminates the nuances of life at home – across borders, ethnicities and professions," the furniture brand said of the project.

The series, which comprises 25 photos in total, was commissioned by IKEA after its IKEA Life at Home Report showed that 48 per cent of people globally don't feel the media represents their home.

The first two images released by IKEA, show the homes of Yusuke Onimaru in Japan and Maria Arrechea in Germany – specifically Onimaru's ceramic workshop and Arrechea's living space filled with friends.

Leibovitz's photos will be shown as part of the IKEA+ exhibition in Paris, which will take place during Paris Fashion Week.

It will also feature a collaboration with online radio station Rinse and showcase the Tesammans collection made by IKEA together with Eindhoven-basd design duo Raw Color.

Six emerging designers from the Casa93 fashion education program are also taking part in the IKEA+ showcase. They worked with "home furnishing mentors" from IKEA to create designs that focus on upcycling and sustainable design.

The photography is by Annie Leibovitz for IKEA.

IKEA+ will take place on 28 Rue de Lappe, Paris, from 29 February to 3 March. For more worldwide events, exhibitions and talks in architecture and design, visit Dezeen Events Guide. 

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