Thomas Cooper Studio’s The Sagas is a triptych of collectible wall weavings that draw from the ancient and complex legacies of Viking mythology. The central figure, Signy, from the Norse Völsunga saga, rises above her brother and son in the series as a representation of the overlooked yet powerful roles that women have played throughout history. Her depiction, by studio cofounder Sally Thomas Cooper, embodies the archetype of the queen, a symbol of resilience and strength whose influence was often hidden in traditional mythologic recountings. Her central role in The Sagas underscores the significant but often understated ways in which women have shaped the course of history.
The collaboration behind The Sagas is a deeply personal one, conceived by Sally Thomas Cooper and Jason Kai Cooper. Inspired by Viking burial rites and the passage of time, Jason’s initial sketches laid the foundation for the triptych’s exploration of ancestral connections. Sally, using traditional weaving techniques, brought these concepts to life through intricate textures of wool and silk, with each material carrying its own symbolic weight: wool connects to the earth and the significance of an ancestral past, while silk represents transcendence and the divine feminine. Even the frames, which were hand-formed from brass and bronze, further enhance the mythological themes of strength and resilience, adorned with symbols of protection and fertility. The Sagas is not merely an art installation but a meditative reflection on the stories that define us and the generations that come after us.
Thomas Cooper Studio will debut its latest collaborative project, an exhibition titled “Four On The Floor,” at Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week 2025.
