Tranquility
About the Artwork
This six-piece tea set, comprising a tea tray, teacups, gaiwan set, fairness cup, tea pick and tea measure, draws its inspiration from the serene beauty of a lotus pond. Its understated elegance seamlessly unites functionality and aesthetic grace. The teacups, crafted with a double-layered copper construction, subtly mitigate heat transfer, ensuring comfortable handling even with the inherent warmth of copper.
The discerning tea drinker will find themselves enveloped in an atmosphere of refined tranquility, savouring freshly brewed tea, as if transported to a secluded haven, far removed from the clamor of everyday life. This creation exemplifies the boundless potential realized when traditional craftsmanship is infused with contemporary innovation, transcending the conventional boundaries between art, craft and design.
Story of Traditional Crafts
| Story of Coppersmithing |
Coppersmithing has a long and rich history in Hong Kong. As Luk Shu Choi recalls, the most glorious period of copperware in Hong Kong was during the 1960s and 1970s. Traditional copper forging is generally performed by hammering a metal sheet placed on an anvil in concentric movements, causing the metal to compress or extend while avoiding the formation of creases. The production process starts with a large copper sheet, which is then cut down to size much like tailoring fabric. A piece of copperware requires a continuous and repetitive forging process followed by welding and polishing, and every single step demands concentration and finesse. The Luk brothers believe that handcrafted copperware also requires patience and contemplation on the design in addition to the demands of techniques to elicit the essence of a particular piece of work.
Making Process
Copper, renowned for its superior thermal conductivity among metals, was chosen as the material for this innovative tea set. Nathan and Hazel, employing advanced metalworking techniques, explored diverse forms and layered construction. Drawing upon traditional copper forging methods learned from Ping Kee Copperware, they meticulously crafted each component. The tea pot, shaped and structured initially, underwent repeated hammering of its spout to ensure a smooth, controlled pour with minimal spillage.
To complete the teaware with the artistic concept of a calm and peaceful lotus pond, skillful patterns were created on the surface of the tea tray through hammering techniques. The bulged texture of the tray evokes the natural lotus leaf in the pond, reflecting light and shadow. To finish the whole teaware, the duo applied tin coating for the tea cups and patina finishing on the tea tray which offers a stark contrast with the original color of copper.
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