Mustasha (holding microphone) briefing guests about the collection during a media preview at Mutiara Spaces Show Gallery in Petaling Jaya. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
MONOBLOC plastic chairs, the lightweight, stackable chairs found in many eateries and households, have unexpectedly served as inspiration for a set of furniture made from locally sourced wood.
Designer Mustasha Musa and furniture company Kok Art & Craft Co have collaborated to craft the Skali Collection, which features a dining set made from nyatoh wood.
The design for the chair was inspired by monobloc plastic chairs.
Mustasha said the collection, which took eight months to be completed, merged the concept of cultural heritage and modern craftsmanship.
“The name comes from the Malay term ‘sekali’ which means ‘together’.
“It reflects the Malaysian culture of celebrating togetherness through time spent with loved ones,” she said during a media preview of the collection.
“The collaboration with Kok Art & Craft works well because we have a common goal of preserving local artisan craftsmanship, which is a dying business.
“The collection aims to elevate everyday tables and chairs, which are commonly seen at homes or mamak stalls, to something that champion local materials and sustainability.”
Mustasha said the concept for Skali Collection had earlier been submitted to Timb3r Design Incubation Programme (DIP) 2024 to explore sustainable design and innovation in the timber and furniture industry.
The programme was facilitated by Malaysian Timber Council in partnership with Malaysian Wood Moulding and Joinery Council (MWMJC), Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers and Malaysian Furniture Council.
Subsequently, the concept captured the attention of Kok Art & Craft which brought the collection to life.
The Skali Collection features a dining set comprising a wooden table and chairs made from nyatoh wood.
The dining set is on display as part of an exhibition called “Celebrating Industry Collaboration: Collaborative Design Showcase Unveiling The Skali Collection” at Mutiara Spaces Show Gallery in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Mustasha said the exhibition aimed to raise public awareness, especially among local youths, on dying arts such as woodworking.
“The collection also highlights the importance of collaborations between various industry players.
“To succeed in this journey, we must work together, in line with the spirit of ‘Skali’,” said Mustasha, who is also Boustead Properties design and planning head.
Also present at the media preview were Kok Art & Craft managing director Kok Jit S’ng, MWMJC chairman Ng Boon Kuan and Boustead Properties chief creative strategy officer Taufiq Jaapar.
“It is human nature to sit together at a table and bond over a meal,” said Kok.
“Such bonds allow us to interact and make human connections.
“Though joinery works like this (to make the collection) are often labelled as ‘slow crafts’, we believe that this method is the most sustainable in crafting long-lasting furniture,” Kok added.
Ng, meanwhile, called for more opportunities to be given to Malaysian craftsmen to grow and expand.
“The Malaysian timber industry and its designers are at a stage where they don’t have enough exposure to different platforms to showcase their talents.
“So programmes like Timb3r DIP are great to gather designers and provide them with exposure through a single platform,” he said, adding that great designers should be given a chance to showcase their works overseas.
Taufiq said the exhibition offered a good platform to give new meaning to everyday furniture.
The exhibition is ongoing until Nov 30 at Mutiara Spaces Show Gallery at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.
