Agnieszka Czop, born in 1973, completed the Study of Film & Theatre Techniques and the Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts, both in Łódź. In 2003 she obtained her diploma from the Painting Workshop, the Decorative Fabric Workshop and the Carpet & Tapestry Workshop. The same year she started to collaborate as a designer with the Dywilan carpet factory, there creating a series of carpets-jigsaw puzzles for which she received awards at the Child-Friendly Toy and Toy for Fun competitions. The magazine Elle Decoration gave her the title of Best Young Designer 2004. In 2005 she received a creative scholarship from the President of the City of Zamość.
To Czop, designing is something that combines many elements: form, function, creativity and originality. These are the means that may be used by design to influence the lives of the populace.
Agnieszka Czop told Culture.pl:
I search for unusual decorative and structural effects that go beyond the stereotypical approach to floor fabrics. I try to emphasize the individual character of every product. I also like to inspire people to act and to creatively use my carpets. I consciously choose natural, raw materials, the simplicity of which highlights the style of the carpets. These materials offer unlimited possibilities and grant a lot satisfaction. The use of simple means and the multiplication of elements result in the creation of simple, rhythmical, layered and spatial compositions.
Some of her works are inspired by folk art, but interpreted through a modern process. Examples include such designs as the Spiro and Wycinanki (Cut-Outs) mats, the Wycinanka (Cut-Out) carpet which is made of rescaled, open-worked napkins, or the felt rug Caleidoscope which has a rhythmical, recurrent, symmetrical pattern cut out in its top layer.
Czop combines woolen felt with embroideries and brocade, but also with alternative materials such as metal. The carpet Lamellar (2006) is a two-layer felt fabric with cut out openings in which hollow, decorative, metal elements have been fitted. This rhythmical composition gives the illusion of spatiality and convexity. The carpet Polowanie (The Hunt; 2005) is made of woolen felt and is embroidered with brocade. Conversely, the rug Minimal (2012) consists of geometric modules that partially overlap each other, a reference to origami forms.
Czop collaborates with designer Joanna Rusin. Since 2006 the artists have decided to also work separately. In an interview for Dzień Dobry TVN, AgnieszkaCzop described her partnership with Joanna Rusin in the following way:
There are times when we have different views, but we always discuss and try to reach a compromise. Although in general we get along well when it comes to seeing and feeling colours and patterns. We like the same things.