Home Journal May 2021

Welcome to our special art issue. Art in all its forms can not only reflect our personality and vision, but it can also offer a window into our soul. This issue salutes showstopping and thought-provoking art and designs that are made to shatter stereotypes, uplift our spirits, and empower us all to lead a more meaningful life. Our cover honour goes to art specialist Jonathan Crockett, chairman of Asia at Phillips, who keeps pushing the boundaries of contemporary art to help the 100-year-old auction house reach new heights. The art specialist offered us a rare glimpse into an eclectic collection of contemporary artwork at his home residence, and a masterclass of what art is supposed to be. Further inspiring abodes in this issue include a zen-filled dwelling in Suzhou fitted with a “shrine”…

PORTUGUESE FLAIR Hermès will open its fourth store in Galaxy Macau, taking design cues from the city’s cultural history and its Portuguese influences. Conceived by Parisian architecture agency RDAI, the new shop combines the singularity of the local culture with the brand’s signature architectural codes – the Ex-Libris motif, the mosaic flooring inspired by the Faubourg Saint-Honoré flagship store, and the Grecques lighting, enveloped in sun-faded greens and sunset pinks that pay homage to the historic houses in the nearby Taipa village. hermes.com AHEAD OF THE CURVE The Gallery by SOIL, and wamono art, are jointly presenting “The Beauty of Geometry – Bamboo Art by Hajime Nakatomi” exhibition, running from now until 16 May. A bamboo artist in Japan, Nakatomi explores the beauty of geometry, symmetry and organic forms through works composed of simple…

01. ROCHE BOBOIS The CORAIL table by Roche Bobois is a perfect injection of style for the living room that doubles as a work of art. The table’s base is made from 3D-printed concrete that is fully customisable, allowing customers to choose the twisting and weaving effects of the base to their own liking. 02. TREE American designer Dawn Sweitzer infuses her childhood memories of Ohio, and her many adventures around the globe, to the design of the Voyage home accessories collection, marked by slimline silhouettes and eclectic patterns. 03. BOCONCEPT Add a dose of character to your home with this set of Burly vases and Hemisphere bowls, meticulously hand-carved to achieve an organic look that re-emphasises the beauty of natural materials. FOR MORE PRODUCTS AND IDEAS, VISIT HOMEJOURNAL.COM AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @HOMEJOURNAL…

TIMELESS APPEAL Infuse your home with an artsy vibe with this group of furniture and home accessories that blend soft, warm and comforting tones and textures with retro glamour. Pair them with abstract paintings, classic artworks or sculptural art that connect to your soul. FOR MORE PRODUCTS AND IDEAS, VISIT HOMEJOURNAL.COM AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @HOMEJOURNAL…

Aworkplace is more than a place to work, it can also be a place to hold memories and to entertain with panache, as this four-storey office demonstrates. Setting foot in Robert Lam’s office space on Hong Kong Island, one is immediately taken by its distinctive character and charm, redefining the conventional idea of what an “office” should look like. Lam, who established himself in the 1970s as one of the most prominent celebrity portrait photographers in Hong Kong, imagined himself as a painter at a younger age. But “you create art more efficiently with the help of a camera”, he says half-jokingly. So he turned to photography and later founded his own printing company – Robertlam Color Photobition – focusing on outdoor ads. Headquartered in this spacious Hong Kong office, the company has also…

When Jonathan Crockett first thought of pursuing formal studies in Chinese contemporary art, in the late 1990s, he found it was a market that didn’t really even exist. “Artists at that time were selling artworks for a minuscule fraction of what they’re selling for today. There just wasn’t the demand,” recounts the Chinese art specialist. “It was Western collectors in Asia buying Chinese contemporary art that really kicked off that market.” So Crockett ended up furthering his education by studying Chinese language at SOAS University of London from 1997 and then Chinese Studies at Oxford from 2001 – and he watched with growing interest as the Chinese contemporary art market grew. And grew. Crockett’s big break came when he started his auction career at Christie’s London in 2003. Today he is one of…