Maison&Objet's Rising Talent Awards 2019 have focused on six young Chinese designers that are redefining traditional forms with innovative materials and modern shapes.
After showcasing new talent from the UK, Lebanon and Italy in previous years, the Paris furniture fair chose to spotlight China's fast-developing design scene for the 2019 edition, which took place from 18 to 22 January.
The six designers honoured were Mario Tsai, Chen Furong, Ximi Li, Hongjie Yang, Chen Xingyu from Bentu Design and Frank Chou.
"Most interesting is search for identity"
The exhibition was presented by design consultancy Designchain, and curated by a panel of judges that consisted of international designers all of whom have a presence in China. They included Tom Dixon, Luca Nichetto and Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, of Shanghai-based studio Neri&Hu. The judges feel these six designers and studios are exemplary of a new Chinese design language.
"With the rapid growth of the Chinese economy and the need for a cultural expression of its own, we see a large number of emerging designers that have started to create their own voice that deals with the issue of heritage and identity," said Neri.
"What is most interesting is the Chinese designer's search for identity, to not just be a look-like of Western design but how to fold in the centuries-old rich Chinese craftsmanship heritage and tradition," added Nichetto.
"A really exciting time for China"
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