An artist inspired by his home, his family, and his history: an Interview with Robert Kuo

“I like to see the same particular design translated in different mediums and forms.”

Top-of-the-line furniture designer, Robert Kuo, organically welds traditional Chinese inspiration with a sleek modern interpretation. Born in Beijing, Kuo now calls both West Hollywood and New York City home. Kuo had no formal training in the arts, but grew up working with his father, a watercolor painter. Kuo’s previous passion in cloisonné (an ancient glass and metal-working technique) is put to new use in the intricate metal work found in his designs. His works not only feature ancient Chinese inspiration, but also exhibit Kuo’s love for Art Nouveau and Art Deco, which give his furniture a fun, modern twist.

Kuo’s work has gained a stamp of approval from world-class hotels and museums. His pieces can be found in places from the Smithsonian and National History Museum in Taipei to exclusive hotels like the Singapore Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco's Hotel Palomar, Las Vegas MGM Grand Villas and New York Four Seasons. Kuo’s furniture and accessories add a punch of understated sophistication and elegance. Robert Kuo was kind enough to answer some questions for us.

Nancy Stracka Interiors: I’ve read that you never had any formal art studies. Is this true? Do you think your work would be different if you had learned that way?

Robert Kuo: Yes, I did not formally pursue a fine art degree but my father was an artist and an art professor and so I was naturally surrounded by art and creativity in my environment. In my case, I think the lack of formal training allows for more creativity instead of defining or restricting it.

NSI: It seems that your father’s artwork inspired you from an early age, would you say that you‚re still drawing from that for inspiration today?

RK: Yes, but I draw inspiration from everything around me. My move to the United States especially influenced my work and continues to greatly inspire me.

NSI: I have also read that you draw inspiration from Chinese art and Art Nouveau, do you travel to get this inspiration? If so, where do you go? What is your favorite place to travel to?

RK: I find antiques, interesting exhibitions at museums/galleries and books are great sources for inspiration. I travel frequently to Beijing for work.

NSI: What else are you inspired by these days?

RK: My family, especially my grandsons. I am designing pieces with more rounded soft corners because of that inspiration.

NSI: Do you have different sources of inspiration for your accessories versus your cabinets, stools, and other furniture?

RK: Actually, I like to see the same, particular design translated in different mediums and forms.

NSI: What is the process you go through with a new design? How do you begin?

RK: I really don’t rely on a process. Sometimes, I will be inspired from an antique and begin formulating a design there. The inspiration behind the Repousse Copper bathtub that I designed for Ann Sacks, for instance, came from a Chinese antique ear cup. Also, the Repousse Copper Shang Chandelier was inspired from a Shang Dynasty, Chinese earring. Other times, the design will develop over years, like the Repousse Copper Snail……..did you know that snails in the States look different from ones in China?
Mostly though, I will do a quick sketch and execute the prototype in repousse copper.

NSI: You have a wide range of work that you do: metal, stone, wood, etc. Do you have a favorite material to work with?

RK: I love lacquer. The tactile feeling of lacquer is so luxurious and understated.

NSI: When it comes to the designs on your cabinets, such as the cloud design, how do you keep consistency? Is the carving free-hand or do you have some other method?

RK: I have different studios and each are dedicated to exclusively work on a particular pattern, so we can keep pretty consistent that way.

NSI: How do you work with metal? What tools do you use?

RK: I have a few different kinds of hammers that I use.

(two examples of the many types of repousse hammers from http://www.repoussetools.com/a_hammers/armour_hammer_page.htm)

NSI: Do you use different methods for larger pieces like cabinets versus smaller decorative pieces like your shells?

RK: No, I use the same methods, sometimes different hammers but it’s the same skills.

NSI: I’ve seen some of the tiles you’ve done for Ann Sacks, when you design those, do you visualize a whole floor/wall of them or do you focus on the look of the individual tile?

RK: I try to imagine them in both contexts. I want them to make their own statement by themselves but also look great with many of them together in a larger area.

NSI: When you design for Ann Sacks or other companies like McGuire, do you change your design process at all?

RK: It is generally the same process, I still draw inspiration from the sources I mentioned before, but I do keep in mind the look/identity of the company that I’m designing for.

NSI: How many people work at your company?

RK: I have 30 people working for me in the United States. In Beijing, we have 3 studios that work with repousse, 3 studios for lacquer, 1 studio for cloisonné, 1 studio for Peking glass, 1 studio for the crystal and 1 studio for carved stone.

NSI: Wow, that’s a lot of studios! What responsibilities do your employees take on? Do they do any of the artistic work?

RK: I design all of the collections, but the employees at the studios do much of the hand-work.

NSI: Do you find that you attract a particular kind of client?

RK: My clients are exemplary. They understand and appreciate the craftsmanship.

NSI: Do you have your clients in mind when you’re creating a new piece?

RK: I don’t necessarily have clients in mind when I design. I design because I am inspired and hope that my clients can share the same experience. I’m unable to design based on tastes and demands of the market.

NSI: Can you say something about the piece you have in the Smithsonian? Did you make it for the museum? If not, how did it end up there?

RK: The Goldfish Bowl was purchased by Robert Clague (prominent cloisonné collector and benefactor of the Museum) for the Smithsonian Sackler Freer Gallery.

NSI: Have you designed for any movie stars or other famous people?

RK: Yes…

NSI: What do you have in your own home? Is it all your own work?

RK: Yes but I don’t do upholstery, so I have to get that somewhere else.

NSI: What do you do in your spare time (if you have any)?

RK: Work and eat. I love to eat!

Robert Kuo's Locations:
8686 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA
90069
Tel: 310 855 1555
Fax:310 855 1935

303 Spring Street
New York, NY
10013
Tel: 212 229 2020
Fax: 212 223 2011