LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS — Ingka Group, the largest IKEA franchisee, released its ninth annual IKEA Life at Home Report in January. Surveying over 37,000 people globally in 37 countries, one of the key findings from the report was that almost half of the people globally (48%) do not feel like their life at home is reflected in the media.
That imbalance is the launchpad for an exciting new partnership announced by Ingka Group: a collaboration with renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz, who will step into the role of IKEA Artist in Residence in 2023. Annie is celebrated for her ability to capture the inner life of her subjects, with whom she engages in intimate spaces or moments. The power of her work lies in its capacity to reveal truths that feel candid, exploring profound aspects of the universal human experience; making her the ideal Artist in Residence for the Life at Home Report.
“The home has always been important in my work,” she explained. “I’ve been photographing people in their homes since I began. 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. I’m excited to partner with IKEA in 2023.”
As always, the IKEA Life at Home Report embodies the IKEA commitment to continually evolve, adapting to the ever-shifting reality of the way people live today. During Annie’s tenure as IKEA Artist in Residence, she will travel around the world, photographing people in their homes in seven different countries: Japan, the United States, Germany, Italy, India, Sweden, and England. She will create a series of 25 portraits that illuminate the nuances of “life at home,” creating a powerful photographic document inspired by the Life at Home Report.
“The Life at Home Report results are a crucial moment every year at IKEA,” said Marcus Engman, Chief Creative Officer at Ingka Group. “They help us to realize our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people. That’s why we are delighted to team up with Annie Leibovitz, a true artist and trailblazer, to turn her iconic lens to those lives at home we don’t always see, and voices we don’t always hear. We look forward to working with her throughout 2023, and engaging the next generation of artists along the way.”
Visit the Life at Home microsite for more information – or explore the complete Life at Home report here: https://lifeathome.ikea.com.
