Maison et Objet annouce Rising Asian Talents winners

The six winners for Maison et Objet’s annual Rising Asian Talents awards have been announced. Pictured: sculptural work from the winnig Australian design studio Lab De Stu

(Image credit: Lab De Stu)

By Sujata Burman

last updated 31 October 2022

in Features

Following the announcement of André Fu as Maison et Objet Asia’s Designer of the Year, the institution's next accolade embraces less established stars of the design world. Scouring the Asia-Pacific region for innovation, individualism and panache, this year’s winners of the Rising Asian Talents award comprises an assortment of skills spanning embroidery art, fashion-inspired lighting and unusual sculpture.

‘Their presentation in Maison et Objet Asia 2016 will reflect the incredible richness and diversity of the regional design scene,' says Regina Chan, director of Asia Pacific at M&O. This year’s six winners arrive from Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan, all chosen by the Maison team, with the help of a panel of industry curators, designers and journalists.

In a fusion of styles, Australian winner Lab De Stu merges together sculpture and craft with minimalist flair. The Melbourne-based studio was founded by designers Adam Lynch, Dale Hardiman and Andre Hnatojko. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese winner – cross-cultural brand Kimu – combines Scandinavian simplicity with Eastern dexterity. Their innovative framed 'The New Old' light is a statement piece that changes a space with its black wire silhouette.

Of the more embellished, experimental winners, Filipino materialist Stanley Ruiz – now based in New York – realises his patterned works in unusual materials, from concrete and wood speakers to lamps and baskets made of buri (palm reed), leather and metal.

Other winners include Lekker Architects from Singapore (who previously conceived the wonderfully wild Hermès Secret Garden); Ease, a Thai embroidery studio based in Bangkok that produces artful, intricate weaving and 3D acoustic embroidery in geometric and floral prints; and Tokyo-based Chihiro Tanaka who uses his fashion background to create eloquent lighting ranges.

Eloquent lighting range — Winners were chosen from Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan. Pictured: Tokyo-based Japanese winner Chihiro Tanaka, whose fashion background inspired an eloquent lighting range

Wood speakers to lamps and baskets made of buri (palm reed), leather and metal. — Of the more experimental winners, Filipino materialist Stanley Ruiz realises his patterned works in unusual materials, from concrete and wood speakers to lamps and baskets made of buri (palm reed), leather and metal

The winner from Thailand – embroidery studio Ease – produces artful, intricate weaving and 3D acoustic embroidery in geometric and floral prints

Cross-cultural brand Kimu combines Scandinavian simplicity with Taiwanese dexterity. Their ’The New Old’ light is a statement piece that changes a space with its black wire silhouette

Wild Hermès Secret Garden. — Another winner, Singapore’s Lekker Architects, previously conceived the wonderfully wild Hermès Secret Garden.

INFORMATION

For more information, visit Maison et Objet’s website

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

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