Collectors’ home featured in ELLE China
Alex and OJ have named their Zhongshan residence “House of Soil.”
In Buddhist teachings, all phenomena arise from conditions yet are inherently empty — and soil embodies this wisdom. It both embraces decay and nurtures new life. The notion of “Soil” emerged as an epiphany upon their return: soil is where all things ultimately return, yet it is also where life begins. Each inch of land is singular; every tree and stone carries a living presence.
Artworks — @rickyleegordon & @shayan.cd
Photography — @studioperiphery
Styling — @soil.studios@elledecorationcn
Happy to share I’ll be showing at Art Jakarta 2025 @artjakarta with SUN.CONTEMPORARY @sun.contemporary , together with these wonderful artists:
Alongside talente:
Aaron Glasson
Abyu Amanda Aldi
Aleph Geddis
Alexia Vogel
Cameron Platter
Enrich R
Nugi Ketut
Ricky Lee Gordon
Riko Shuri Monma
Satria Nugraha
Shayan Gunawan
Spencer Hansen
Syotatsu
Zuraisa
Booth A17
3–5 October, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta
RUMAH HUJAN x UBUD OPEN STUDIOS:
MARY VERSPOOR & SHAYAN GUNAWAN
We are honoured to have hosted designer Mary Verspoor and artist Shayan Gunawan for our inaugural collaboration with Ubud Open Studios.
Allowing creatives from other parts of Bali to take part in the program, visitors got a chance to see the beautifully carved wooden objects and furniture by Canggu based Mary Verspoor alongside the stone and teak sculptures by Shayan Gunawan exhibited in our Kura Kura pavilion.
“As part of Ubud Open Studios 2025, we presented a selection of sculptural furniture and objects at Rumah Hujan. Shaped in our studio through a process rooted in material and structure, the works were arranged as they often are in the studio, reflecting their relationships in form, scale and surface.
The setting offered a shift in perspective and time for quiet exchanges around the thinking behind each piece.
Thank you to @ubudopenstudios and @_rumahhujan , and to everyone who spent time with the work.”
-Mary Verspoor and Shayan Gunawan
“Ubud Open Studios was conceived to revitalize interest in the studio spaces that originally made Ubud famous as an artistic destination. We’re reconnecting visitors with the authentic creative process that happens behind normally closed doors.
We were thrilled to collaborate with @_rumahhujan for this beautiful presentation. The way Mary and Shayan’s sculptural furniture and objects inhabited the space created such a thoughtful dialogue between craft, environment, and community. Thank you to Mary and Shayan for sharing their process and vision with us, and to everyone who joined us for these quiet exchanges around the work.”
– Mila Shwaiko, co-founder of Elami Productions, producers of Ubud Open Studios
All photos by @danihuda
#artistinresidence #ubudopenstudios #luxurytravel
The sculpture combines ironwood and limestone, both kept in their natural state to highlight their raw textures and tones. The contrast between these materials feels grounded yet open, a reflection of working with what’s there and adapting throughout the process.
‘Presence’ Limestone, Ironwood (Ulin). L42.5 x W41 x H54 cm.
Photo: Niluh Eva Barendt @niluhbarendt ♡︎
The bench, my first wooden design from 2020, has continued to evolve into new forms and bespoke sizes.
The calendar piece reflects a process of growth and experimentation, combining custom-made wood carving tools with new techniques to create precise, lasting lines in stone.
The sculptural chair combines ironwood and limestone, both kept in their natural state to highlight their raw textures and tones. The contrast between these materials feels grounded yet open, a reflection of working with what’s there and adapting throughout the process.
These pieces are part of my ongoing exploration of material, process, and form.
‘Gong’ IV. Suar wood. L200 x W43 x H40 cm.
‘2024, it just takes practice.’ Limestone, cement. D33 x H34 cm.
‘Presence’ Limestone, Ironwood (Ulin). L42.5 x W41 x H54 cm.
Photo by my dearr friend Niluh Eva Barendt @niluhbarendt
The stone’s weight anchors the wood with a secure connection for stability.
The separable elements allow the piece to adapt to space and the viewer’s interaction with it.
Rock-Solid, 2024. Repurposed solid limestone and solid suar wood. L34 x W33,5 x H70 cm. (Sold)
#unity #connection #thoughtfullycrafted
