Design file: Sjors van Buyten
The Dutch artist transforms wood and vintage materials into unique pieces of furniture
"I moved here a year-and-a-half ago. I was basically kidnapped by my girlfriend."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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
