+ biography
Born
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; raised in Hong Kong and Singapore; studied
English Literature in Scotland and Upstate NY, and interior design in
NYC. I started Studio Bartleby in 2006.
Half
of my work is an interior design practice, which exercises the adult
side of my brain. It’s a creative profession but it’s also largely
budgets, communication, and project management. The Objects side is
more intuitive. I like to make things that feel, to me, as if they made
themselves. In both parts of the practice, I’m always thinking about
desire, economy, or power. I think most things we do, as a society,
hinges on one of these three things; it’s where most of our pride and
shame resides. Personal nostalgia is also interesting to me and is
usually represented in some formal way, like a shape or colour.
+ what inspires you?
Trisha
Brown and Batsheva Dance Company always makes me want to do something
good. I’m fond of Folkert de Jong’s scupltures – technically strong and
visually just a touch ugly. Elevator Repair Service is a theatre group
with no fear, which I admire. There is the always the influence of the
usual suspects, who are like mother’s milk to artists and designers of
my generation, but I try not to look those guys in the face too much.
It’s fleet-footed and highly unreliable, this inspiration business, so I
find it useful to focus on work that makes me feel that it is still
possible to do something good and new.
+ could you describe a typical day?
Most consistently, I walk
to the studio with Mark [my partner and studio mate]. Coffee, toast,
emails. Studio lunch and nap. Walk home between 8pm-10pm. In between
those benchmarks, it depends on what the day’s priority is. I’ll do
drawings, budget-wrangling, or scheduling for interiors projects. Or I
can be turning wood on the lathe, leather-working, knitting, packing
boxes. I’m currently a studio of one, so I switch gears often.
+ favorite spots in new york
My
world can feel rather provincial, not much larger than the few blocks
between home and the studio. But favourite spots have always included
Paula Rubenstein and BDDW. Dual Specialty Foods is wonderful for its
array of grains, spices, oils and tons of other good stuff that smells
like home. The Morgan Library is a lovely little nugget. To eat, I
love Hanco’s bahn mi so much, it’s a little embarrassing; Saraghina in
Bed-Stuy; and the Pho place in Chinatown with the green menus. Anywhere
with a good noodle, really.
+ favorite magazines, books, and music
I get the New Yorker.
Other magazines tend to fester in an unread pile so I’ve stopped
buying them. I’ll read anything by David Mitchell, Carol Maso, Jeanette
Winterson, or Stefan Zweig. I’m not very current, on the music front. I
get into repetitive modes, so I’ll often listen to the same song all
day. Yesterday it was Dolly Parton’s cover of Stairway to Heaven; I
have no explanation for this. For the past last 10 years I’ve found
Sunset Rubdown and St. Vincent to be always good. On repeat for the
last 25 years, have been Rachel’s and Queen. Again, there is no
explanation for this.
+ what are your essentials for summer?
Rose water and tea tree oil. Cotton dresses. Sandals. Straw hat. Sparkling water. Orange juice. Pesto.
+ what's on your wish list?
To go back to Scotland to live for a while. Another week or two in Lisbon. A great live/work space. A nice dog.
thank you, mary!
view our latest arrivals from bartleby here.
thank you, mary!
view our latest arrivals from bartleby here.
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