Header: Roman Dzvinchuk
Sculptural cabinet by Tetiana Krasutska represents a deeply intimate design rooted in her childhood memory. More than just an object, TYSHA represents an emotional and sensory journey that portrays vulnerability, strength and their constant interaction. The designer’s experience growing up by the sea inspired her to create from instinct, not fear.
“When I was a kid, I stood in the stillness of the sea — eyes closed, heart open — and I thought I could control the waves. It wasn’t power I felt; it was something deeper. That wild, innocent kind of faith that says the world listens when you’re quiet enough to feel it.”
Tetiana Krasutska, ZEMNA co-founder
Between an armour and a tool of introspection
TYSHA, meaning “silence” in Ukrainian, draws inspiration from two diverse but complementary sources:
- the organic lines of a seashell
- and the smoothness of the human body.
Divided into two sections, the TYSHA cabinet is decorated with wooden mosaic intarsia. Hundreds of wooden fragments create texture similar to bone armour while at the same time revealing the inner storage. Recessed seashell-shaped handles open the compartments of the interior lined with pewter. The back houses two polished steel mirrors, the symbols of introspection. The cabinet is finished with water-based acrylic paint and coated with an eco-friendly wood varnish.
TYSHA’s New York debut
TYSHA was originally made for the Salon Art + Design fair, a fine and decorative arts fair taking place in New York. The cabinet debuted at the group exhibition “DZHERELO” (“Source“ in Ukrainian) organised by Victoria Yakusha Gallery from Antwerp, Belgium. The labour-intensive creative process required months and several artisans to make, which is why production of TYSHA is limited to just five pieces.
ZEMNA: Belonging to the land
The creation of TYSHA represents an important chapter in ZEMNA’s work. A Design studio founded by Tetiana Krasutska and Andrew Dobryansky originally worked in architecture and interiors but switched to object design in 2022. Meaning “earthly” in Ukrainian, ZEMNA symbolises everything that belongs to the land – the beginning, the body’s memory and strength. Zemna’s sculptural functional objects are meant to be passed down through generations, which is why the studio chooses durable materials that age well, including steel, pewter, ceramics, textiles, beech and walnut.
And while Dobryansky centres on minimalist, clear lines, and thoughtfully integrated functionality, Krasutska creates organic forms inspired by her personal experiences.
“My artistic rebirth began with radical honesty. During the war in my country, I realized that all we truly have is the present moment. Art became my refuge and gave me faith in that naive inner strength.”
Tetiana Krasutska, ZEMNA co-founder
Between an armour and a tool for introspection, the design of the TYSHA cabinet powerfully portrays the line between vulnerability and strength. As an object that encourages a person to discover their own personal meaning, TYSHA is open to interpretation, which reinforces its appeal.
