Kenny Son — 'Brass Watering Can', 2021
Kenny Son — 'Brass Watering Can', 2021
Kenny Son — 'Brass Watering Can', 2021
Kenny Son — 'Brass Watering Can', 2021

Kenny Yong-soo Son

Kenny Son — 'Brass Watering Can', 2021

$1,600
With values in producing work that can be introduced to the larger public, Son firmly believes the only way for traditional crafts to survive is for the makers to translate it in a form in which it seems habitual and ingenuously perceived to the general public, work that is 'ordinary,' rather a work that is ‘extraordinary’.

Son, a maker that is interested in objects of longevity, there are two elements in which he defines to be crucial within the ethics and values surrounding his practice.
In order for a hand-made (functional) work to survive amongst all other objects that are produced in this world, firstly the object needs to function properly by justifying its specific purpose and secondly, it needs to embrace aesthetic beauty.
The first element of ‘function’ within crafts relate to techniques and skills and the expression from the hand to the work. Son believes that no matter how ‘beautiful’ a work is, if it proves to be discomforting or unpleasing whilst using the object, it serves no more purpose than as an ‘art object’ that is possibly, just beautiful to look at.

Similarly with the first notion, no matter how well it serves its function, if the work is visually unpleasant to look at or touch, it also loses its value.
Though, ‘aesthetic beauty’ is a vague subject in which he believes is very complex, often depending on each individual’s cultural values and interests.
Despite this, Son still believes that there is a fine line that exists, considering the choice (the detail) of technique, form, colour, shape, material etc., which defines whether the work may be ‘aesthetically beautiful’.   

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Kenny (Yong-soo) Son of Studiokyss is an object designer-maker who has a simple goal of creating work that has ‘life’, objects that add significance and value to everyday environments. 
 
In 2010 he graduated from a Bachelor of Honours in Visual Arts at The Sydney College of Arts (SCA), majoring in Metal & Object. Furthermore, in 2013 he completed his masters in Design at The University of Technology, Sydney, majoring in Object & Accessories. 

 

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As a participant in the inaugural Melbourne Design Fair, Craft Victoria will present a curated collection of the most exciting makers in Australian craft and design. The exhibition will feature 13 makers working across ceramics, textiles, glass and metal, including textile artist Anastasia La Fey, ceramic artist Belle Thierry, textile artist Caro Pattle, ceramic artist Danielle Thiris, furniture and lighting designer Dean Toepfer, artist and experimental designer Jessie French, metalsmith Kenny Yong-Soo, multidisciplinary artist and weaver Lisa Waup, glass artist Misseu, ceramicist Owen Rye, ceramicist Vanessa Lucas, and ceramicist Yoko Ozawa.

Makers will come together in an immersive installation with emerging practitioners featured alongside established designers, showcasing creative ingenuity and material mastery.

Initiated by the NGV Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture and delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation, the fair is a new platform for the craft and design community to bring their collective creative energy together and sell one-off, limited edition pieces in a unique, cultural experience over five days.

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Materials: brass, red gum timber

Dimensions:  approx. 38cm x 26cm x 9cm

Please note: This is a unique piece 

Contact a Craft consultant shop@craft.org.au for more information or to commission a similar work 

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