bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Anji Connell

What brought you to Hong Kong? "I moved here a year-and-a-half ago. I was basically kidnapped by my girlfriend."
Where did she abduct you from? "I was born and raised in Amsterdam but moved to an empty beach northwest of the city when I was 22, to live peacefully with nature. I find Hong Kong stimulating creatively, but in a very different way than I'm used to. It's such a disposable world. I find it's more about functionality than aesthetics here."
What do you love and hate about Hong Kong? "I really love the deserted beaches, and the fact that I have such diverse work. I like to call it my 'paradise of randomness'. I hate that it's so difficult for me to find the materials I'm looking for, and people rudely walking into me."
What is your background? "Auto mechanics. I used to restore classic cars for world car rallies. Prior to that I was a professional skateboarder."
Do you plan specific pieces or does the material you find inspire you? "The pieces are born in my hands. I never really know what the result will be. I just know which material I would like to use and the rest just grows while I'm making it."
What are your preferred materials? "I love to use metals like brass and steel, and all sorts of wood. I like to bring out the beauty of the raw materials."
Where do you create your pieces? "I recently got a work space in Kwun Tong. It feels so good to finally have a space again, where I can just get in the zone and work."
Where do you find the parts for your work? "In Europe, I used to find them in junkyards. But here in Hong Kong, it's really difficult to find good-quality vintage steel. So now I just make pieces from scratch, although I keep searching and I'm always open to leads."
Where can we buy your work? "I'm always contactable for a private viewing or pricing. In December, I hope to have another show at the Popsy Room, the Hong Kong art gallery cum-private-dining space. I'm also making something for Clockenflap."
How much are your pieces? "It depends on the size, material and whether it's a commissioned item or one I have already made. Prices can run anywhere between HK$10,000 and HK$100,000. Lighting has been my main preoccupation. However, my commissions now are varied and include sculpture, props for TV and video, tables and all sorts of special pieces."
Anji Connell
 
To contact the artist, email sjorsvbuyten@gmail.com or call 9648 7145.
 


Design file: Sjors van Buyten

Above:Sjors van Buyten in his studio and with one of his upcycled products.

Magazines

PostMag

The Dutch artist transforms wood and vintage materials into unique pieces of furniture


The Dutch artist transforms wood and vintage materials into unique pieces of furniture.


Design file: Sjors van Buyten

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Dutch artist transforms wood and vintage materials into unique pieces of furniture

The Dutch artist transforms wood and vintage materials into unique pieces of furniture