THIS IS LIFE
Thai artist and designer Korakot Aromdee talks about his bamboo products and sculptures and how they connect the past with the present
KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM
What's more important to Korakot is to create a means of livelihood for locals in his hometown. |
With a very positive surname, Korakot Aromdee should mostly be in a good mood (that's what his surname means). Although the Thai artist and designer of bamboo products and sculptures admits that with his booming export business, Korakot International, he's overwhelmed with paper work that can wipe the smile from his face.
Returning to his roots after gaining a master's degree in Applied Arts from Silpakorn University, the native of Phetchaburi strives to make a contribution to his community by building up a business that will create jobs for locals. And especially with increasing Internet orders, the people in Ban Lam now have a better livelihood out of sharpening bamboos and making Korakot lighting, trays and vases.
When he's not engaged in office chores, the talented designer is in a creative mode to design bigger bamboo works of art, with which he's gaining quite a reputation. Korakot took 13 sculptures and lighting pieces to his solo exhibition, "Tie the Knot", at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, held in May this year. And with their intricate detailing and grand proportions as well as a contemporary appeal, they all quickly sold out.
All eager for other international exhibitions, the 31-year-old is ready to show the world his next best bamboo masterpieces.
His exhibition at NYC's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. |
Why are you into bamboo works of art?
My grandfather's pastime was watching kite-flying competitions and crafting Thai traditional kites. He actually became a master kite-maker, which involved skills in tieing knots. Since the age of three, I watched him making kites and learned that three-year-old seesook bamboo with its strength and pliability is the best material for frame-making.
Phetchaburi is also famous for its bamboo wickerwork. Applying local wisdom and techniques in kite-making, I create contemporary bamboo products and sculptures. It's a pity that today Thais have turned to plastic containers and I learned from an ex-basketmaker that bamboo is much better than plastic because it delays fruits going rotten. That led me into making bamboo trays for fruits, which is one of my product lines.
How do you feel about kite-flying being less popular among today's kids?
It's understandable that in today's fast-changing world, digital kids prefer playing video games and surfing the Internet to being outdoor flying kites. Fortunately, there are still some kite-making clubs left to continue the tradition. And anyone who's interested will find it a fascinating craft with intriguing stories behind the making of a kite.
What did your parents say about your passion for art?
I come from a fisherman's family and my parents didn't mind or didn't really know what I was doing. I had a liking for drawing from a very young age with pictures of trains, cars and dragons as my childhood masterpieces.
A stunning bamboo sculpture. |
Starting in Pathom 6, I entered drawing contests and came out as a winner even as a first-timer. Despite my mathayom schooling in science, I wanted to study art at university and majored in painting for my bachelor's and drawing for my master's degree. Then came the moment of truth that I may not be the next Picasso.
When I was criticised for my usage of colours, I became confused and painting put me under stress. My professor, however, saw a designer in me and advised me to focus on sculpture and installations, and I found more fun with this discipline of art because it has more dimensions and you can play around with different forms.
What other benefits do you get out of being an artist?
You can't rush things when creating works of art. For instance, during my master's degree studies it took four months to do one sculpture and during the process it's not just about unleashing your creativity but gaining knowledge, good concentration and, of course, it gives you pleasure to be doing something of aesthetic value.
I would say that while an artist has to have an imaginative mind, he must be good with his hands and the more you do it the better you become.
Tell us about your first international exposure as a young designer.
Out of 100 candidates, I was one of the six Thai talents at the Maison & Objet 2005 fair in France. My bamboo lighting and trays were priced at 200 euros per piece, which was very cheap to Europeans. On the fair's first day, I easily made 800 euros but what was more gratifying, with people lining up to ask me questions, was the interest they had in Thai products and our local wisdom whereas Western products depended more on technology.
An advantage of the technology is that products are standardised with the same size, colour and pattern. When people have an interest in buying my products, I always tell them that I can guarantee quality but not a standard in colour, size, form and space, which will vary with each piece because of the natural materials and artistic craftsmanship.
Big pieces like sculptures and installations serves another market. From participating in hotel fairs, I have a bamboo installation project with hotels in Thailand as well as one in Miami.
Is Korakot an Otop?
At first we were mistaken for an Otop. The difference between a Korakot and an Otop is that we're into contemporary works of art instead of traditional handicrafts. An Otop bamboo basket would make a good souvenir from Thailand while our stylish stainless steel/bamboo basket fare better as a decorative item in a Westerner's home.
I don't mean to say that Otop works are no good but they can better succeed in the world market by modernising traditional patterns and being more innovative in design.
Are you afraid of being copied?
At fairs, no photographing is allowed but I often see the Chinese sketching my designs. Considering that they're learning something from my designs, I don't mind. If they happen to copy my works, I would have already been doing my next designs which they can't catch up on.
Copying won't get Thais ahead either and I believe that we can become world-class designers if we can bring out our inner uniqueness to come up with our own designs.
Where do you get the inspiration?
Simply from nature and my surroundings. Whether red roses or frog's eggs, I see lines and a graphic pattern in them and transform them into a transparent design with a texture instead of something solid. My designs, whether trays or lighting, work well in Western homes to balance with solid furniture.
Does an artist have difficulty in running a business?
Since we're based upcountry, I have problems in finding qualified staff to help me with business administration, of which I have no background myself. But it was about asking other exporters and learning-on-the-job that got Korakot International off the ground.
At the moment, I find myself doing everything including legal issues, shipping, and human resources. The most difficult part of running a business though is people management. Artists can be self-centred and individualistic and so I have to adapt myself in working with other people.
Do you think big about international success?
Support from the DEP (Department of Export Promotion) and many people have helped us enter the world market. It has been only two years and with great determination we look ahead in taking our new designs to future international fairs.
I'm not ambitious about going far as an international designer. What's more important to me is helping locals in my hometown make a living. One 60-year-old man, who's a bamboo sharpener, told me that if he wasn't with me he would have to go and work at a construction site and that may be too demanding at his age.
How does your family feel about your success?
My grandfather is very happy about it. A healthy 90-year-old man and my quality control manager, he evaluates my designs, the lines, the fluidity of curves and suggests on the technical side of how to better sharpen the bamboo and tie the knots.
They may not be masterpieces but they connect the past with the present, traditional kite-making skills with contemporary designs. Looking at my installations, I can see myself and my grandfather in them.
For more information about Korakot's works, visit http://www.korakot.net.
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