08/11/2021
Featuring the artworks of three highly-talented artists and mastercraftsmen, Art of Bamboo presents mesmerizing art pieces by acclaimed fine artist Nakatomi Hajime (Japan), celebrated product designer Korakot Aromdee (Thailand) and traditional Chinese lantern maker Chuen Mun Wai (Malaysia), whose handcrafted works are renowned and highly sought after within the region and beyond.
NAKATOMI HAJIME (JAPAN)
Inspired by the electrifying works of Shono Shounsai, a living national treasure of Japan, Nakatomi Hajime began walking down the career path of a bamboo artist after graduating from the Waseda University School of Commerce in 1999. Before establishing his own studio in 2005, he learned the ropes of bamboo arts at Oita Prefectural Bamboo Crafts Training Center under Honda Syoryu, a prominent bamboo artist, with whom he gained valuable experiences on bamboo craftsmanship. Upon starting his own studio, he began crafting bamboo art pieces that are different from those made from traditional techniques and forms. What sets him apart from other bamboo artists is his boldness in applying contemporary art forms in crafting his bamboo art pieces and his ability to create his own identity by tracing the line between traditional and contemporary bamboo art. His bamboo art contains quiet and delicate beauty in both functional form and non-functional form.
Nakatomi rose to fame at a lightning pace when his bamboo artworks were published by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston in 2006. Apart from creating art works for the Ritz Carlton Kyoto and Tokyo, Fukuoka Airport, and Osaka International Airport, his works have also been exhibited at various world-renowned art galleries and museums in New York, London, and Paris since then. Today, his artworks are being prominently displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, and the Hove Museum in East Sussex, among others, as part of their permanent collection.
KORAKOT AROMDEE (THAILAND)
Born in the fishermen’s village of Ban Laem in Phetchaburi province, Korakot Aromdee started learning to fix bamboo-fishing equipment and knotting h**p string into traditional Chula kites at a very young age. His early childhood association with bamboo soon paved the way for him to eventually rise to stardom as one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent bamboo designers, whose signature works of art include large-scale bamboo sculptures, tray tables, decorative items, and swirling light fittings for hotels and exhibitions worldwide. Since graduating from his Master’s degree in Applied Arts, at the faculty of Decorative Arts, Silnpakorn University, Korakot started his own bamboo handicraft business which earned him worldwide fame after having been invited to showcase his bamboo masterpieces at some of the biggest product design exhibitions in the world, such as Maison & Objet, France, apart from attracting international fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hermes to decorate their boutique stores with Korakot products. Applying the ‘tie and knot’ technique which he inherited from his grandfather who was a master kite craftsman in his hometown, he uses bamboo that is aged at least three years and above to craft his various large scale sculptures and products. In order to ensure strength and flexibility, the bamboo he uses will also be smoked properly prior to crafting. Despite a worldwide recognition, Korakot never forgets roots, and he contributes back to his birthplace of Ban Leam by hiring young men from the village to construct his artworks. Due to his creativity and innovation, Korakot’s bamboo masterpieces are the lasting testament of how a local craft can be successfully transformed into a global art work.
CHUEN MUN WAI (MALAYSIA)
Born in the scenic town of Ipoh in 1979, Chuen Mun Wai, also known as Tjoan, is one of a handful of traditional Chinese lantern makers in Malaysia who is still persevering with this rare traditional trade that is slowly disappearing in the midst of change. With over 20 years of experience in the trade, Chuen has been using bamboo to craft his intricately-designed lanterns, which can be divided into two types, these are the umbrella-shaped Hock Chew lanterns and basket-shaped Teochew lanterns. The process starts with shaping the lantern frame using bamboo before fastening them with threads followed a white cotton cloth wrap and finished with the intricate painting of the lantern using seven to eight coats of paint. To prevent paint from seeping through, a layer of agar-agar (jelly) is applied onto the fabric. The laborous process means Chuen requires months to complete just a pair of lanterns. Started in mainland China, traditional lanterns were believed to have been brought to the Malay Peninsula during the Ming Dynasty between 1405 - 1433 (the voyage of Cheng Ho). Although the traditional technique of lantern-making is now largely forgotten, most of the Chinese Peranakans are still holding on to this piece of heritage, which explains why the majority of Chuen’s orders mostly came from the Peranakan Chinese community as well as temples and oversea customers with appreciation of this tradition.
Special shoutouts to our partners including The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur for making the connection and come visit the Art of Bamboo exhibition happening from 25 - 28 November in The Godown KL!
