From Norway to Queensland, SØKTAS is a reflection of the vision, passion, craft and stories behind Ryan Roberts and Oliver Höglund. Formed following initial conversations between the pair whilst living and snowboarding in Oslo in 2015, the hand-blown glass lighting company has since made its way back to the shores of Australia, working in a modest Melbourne studio before settling in Currumbin, Queensland.
Oliver and Ryan are the creative duo behind SØKTAS, a high-end hand-blown glass lighting company that proudly designs and crafts each individual piece. Following their first meeting in Norway in 2015, the pair endeavoured to establish SØKTAS, fuelled by Oliver's expertise in glassblowing and Ryan's keen interest in the craft. Oliver himself hails from a history of glassblowers - a third-generation artist who has the craft passed down to him by his father and grandfather.
Moving back to Australia, the pair chose to pursue their venture out of a modest studio in Melbourne, with all pieces crafted in Oliver's fathers' glassblowing studio in New Zealand. Beginning small, they focused their energies into just a handful of designs, before breaking ground with the Volt pendant light. The success of the product catapulted the company forward, and instilled Ryan and Oliver with the confidence to expand their product range and artistic endeavours.
Amidst their creative and professional growth, they chose to relocate to Currumbin, in Queensland. Here, they were able to not only create their own designs on-site but indulge in their shared passion for surfing. Since then, the collection has flourished, now encompassing a diverse array of pendant lights, wall lights, table lights and even outdoor lighting options, with their products being showcased in upscale residential and commercial projects across Australia.
Remaining true to their initial vision, SØKTAS remains a tight-knit operation helmed solely by Ryan and Oliver, only collaborating with a local electrical company to refine the electrical components of each light design. In maintaining their original company structure, the duo can ensure each piece is a creative representation of their personal stories, visions, and style. Oliver single-handedly undergoes the rigorous and intense process of glassblowing, in which each piece is shaped and blown from molten hot glass at around 1000 degrees.
The growth and development of SØKTAS can be characterised by their ongoing collaboration with Jardan - what began with their lights being specified for a showroom has evolved into a partnership with the esteemed Australian designer furniture company, exemplifying the growth and success of SØKTAS.
Currently, SØKTAS is proud to showcase their 5 distinct ranges of handblown lighting options; Sol, Coral, Sora, Flo and Ost. Although each range is unique in their design and styling options, they share a common thread - unwavering precision, care and a devotion to artisanal craftsmanship.
Each SØKTAS piece is a reflection of Ryan and Oliver, and of their desire to pursue a meticulous devotion to a shared passion. Now featured in homes and stores across the country, SØKTAS is a showcase of thoughtful design and an effortless blend of luxury and minimalistic allure.
To learn more about the story behind SOKTAS, and to view their range of products, head to their website or follow their latest designs on Instagram. You can enquire directly with Ryan here.
