An Interview with RAW Sydney Accessories Designer of the Year 2013: Shan Shan and Helen Mok
The manipulation of ordinary objects and materials into extraordinary creations is Shan Shan and Helen Mok's specialty. These sisters possess a true passion for design, both gaining Honours degrees in Visual Arts majoring in Jewellery and Object Design from the Sydney College of the Arts. Since 2006 this imaginative pair have been taking out numerous awards for their endeavours, most recently being awarded RAW Sydney’s Accessories Designer of the Year for 2013.
Conceptually and technically, these designers employ a range of methods to their objects that work to achieve impressive results. Drawing inspiration from life cycles found in nature, their signature objects such as the moveable glass bowl acts as a “metaphor for me, to express my life experiences”, the sisters explain.
Each hand-crafted creation emits an ethereal and other-worldly quality, making their pieces both unique and utterly spectacular. Whim recently chatted to the award-winning jewellery designers to congratulate them on their recent RAW Sydney success, and to ask them all about their passion for the medium:
Q: Congratulations on winning first place in the accessories designer category! Please tell us, what have you both loved the most about your RAW Sydney experience?
A: We both love that RAW Sydney is a really cool event that the variety of artists in different fields all showcase works together in one night.
Q: What was the initial reaction when you both heard the news that you would go on to represent Sydney in your category?
A: We were very excited! We are very happy to join the RAW Sydney event in 2013 and this award is a bonus to us. We never expected that when we joined the event, so especially thank you to everyone supporting us and thank you very much to RAW for organizing this award.
Q: When did you first begin your accessories label, and how did it come about?
A: We both exhibited our work when we were studying in University, the first time we actually set-up and showcased our work as a label ‘Shan Shan and Helen Mok’, it was in year 2011. It works well, a lot of people remember us as ‘Mok’s sister’ that our works are very different and Shan Shan and Helen looks similar….. haha…. It’s fun.
Q: What inspires your creativity the most?
A: Life experience, surrounding, natural.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with your accessories label in the near future – are there any exciting, upcoming plans that you would like to share with us?
A: In 2014, we will keep showcasing our work in different events and galleries, as busy as we were in 2013. We already designed some new jewellery and it will be ready in early 2014! We are looking forward to our new work too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We are honoured to be able to share the work of these incredible artists with you at Whim, and we hope you’ll take a moment to explore their Facebook page and website to see the magnificent creations these sisters have to offer. You can also support emerging artists by 'liking' the RAW Sydney and RAW Australia Facebook pages.
- Lucinda
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