Nissa Kinzhalina was born and raised in the boundless steppes of Kazakhstan, a landscape that became a canvas for her imagination and a key influence in her artistic evolution. The vast emptiness of her surroundings taught her to see space as a creative medium. As a child, she spent hours studying the interplay of light and form in the natural world, developing an ability to mentally construct and manipulate objects in her mind long before they took physical shape. This innate spatial thinking would later define her approach to design and architecture.
Her work draws deep inspiration from Japanese architecture, whose elegance and restraint captivated her from an early age. This influence sparked a fascination with the dialogue between large architectural forms and the intricate, often overlooked details that bring spaces to life. Over time, this interplay led her to envision furniture not just as functional objects but as anchors for meaningful spaces. For Nissa, the ideal piece of furniture is so evocative that it compels the creation of a house to embrace it.
Nissa’s creative practice blurs the boundaries between furniture design and architecture. She approaches these disciplines as intertwined expressions of form and purpose, often allowing one to inform the other. A table she designs might carry the essence of a building’s structure, while architectural principles might inspire the creation of a functional piece of furniture. Her ability to move seamlessly between scales results in designs that are as thoughtful as they are innovative, each carrying the DNA of her vision for harmony and balance.
Through her work, Nissa Kinzhalina challenges conventional thinking about space, form, and utility, crafting objects that inspire not just admiration but also connection. Her designs celebrate the union of structure and imagination, offering a timeless yet contemporary vision that resonates on both intimate and monumental scales.
NISSA KINZHALINA
About the artist
EXHIBITIONS AND COMPETITIONS
SaloneSatellite, Milan – «Dubious Lamp» 2020
Red Dot, Germany - table «Ripple Effect» 2020
Turk Patent conference, Istanbul – Speaker 2019
DesignART, Tokyo - table «Ripple Effect», lamps «Living Light», wall lamp «Solids» 2019
Design PIER, Hong Kong – table «Ripple Effect», chair «Gentle Hint» 2019
Esentai City – II place «Interior for young family with kids» 2019
Astana Designers Awards – Diploma Top-3 2018
The Sleep Event, London - chair «Urban Philosophy» 2016
Paris Design Week - chair «Urban Philosophy» 2015
SaloneSatellite, Milan – floor lamps «Living Light» 2015
IDEAS, Ist place - chair «Urban Philosophy» 2015
International Design Award, Germany – Top-10 from 500 2015
SaloneSatellite, Moscow - chair «Urban Philosophy» 2014