About
New Asian Traditions represents a curated selection of craftspeople in Southeast Asia who produce authentic contemporary crafts with reference to traditional ideas and methods.
Counterintuitively, tradition has always been about new ideas. Crafts and transnational trade are inextricably linked. The emergence of “traditional” and “oriental” works were designs and innovations made specifically to resonate with Empires and their fantasies of far away places. Similarly, craftworkers from Asia travelled and fantasised too, and produced our own (mis)interpretations of “West” and “modernity” into the crafts traded.
Upon reaching their new owners near and far, crafts transmute again as tools for owners to aspire and define themselves through interaction and curation of craft-objects. So there is no authentic “local” or “native” craft uninformed by cross cultural relation, interpretation, and reflection.
So the central theme to the works we showcase is in this spirit: a historical tradition of craft works that have always been made and exchanged for the global contemporary, or how we make each other through objects.
*New Asian Traditions is the product brand for works by nonprofit cooperative Friends Craft Coop*
Why producers and consumers trust us.
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Selected Works
We really do mean handpicked. Every craftsperson we represent is someone whose work we truly respect. We regularly make visits not only to ensure authenticity, but also to follow up on their new works and share ideas.
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Expert appraisals
As craftspeople ourselves, we know material and processes inside and out. This enables us to provide accurate evaluations of quality and price. This means you really do get what you pay for.
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Fair Distribution of Profits
We provide fair and transparent distribution of profits to the craftspeople we represent. Craftspeople who we distribute for typically receive 40-60% of the final retail price. This is above the industry average, and helps to increase their incomes and innovations.
Field Notes
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Two Traditions in Furniture Making
FRIENDS Craft CoopBelieve it or not, I have not made a full box with lid since secondary school. Although this seems unlikely for a furniture maker, it is not. I think of...
Two Traditions in Furniture Making
FRIENDS Craft CoopBelieve it or not, I have not made a full box with lid since secondary school. Although this seems unlikely for a furniture maker, it is not. I think of...
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The Art of Repetition
FRIENDS Craft CoopSometimes when people like our works, they tell us it is a piece of art. Implied is a distinction between art and manufacturing. One is singular and unique; the other...
The Art of Repetition
FRIENDS Craft CoopSometimes when people like our works, they tell us it is a piece of art. Implied is a distinction between art and manufacturing. One is singular and unique; the other...
