BARBARA BARRY
Middle Kingdom welcomes celebrated designer Barbara Barry into a collaboration that upholds beauty as an important element of human experience.
Simplicity is at the essence of her work, believing that nothing stands alone but is always a part of a larger whole.
She sees design as the place where simplicity and form come together to create harmony.
BO JIA
Bo graduated from the storied China Academy of Fine Art in Hangzhou and worked at the National Museum on Tian An Men Square in Beijing before moving to the US and co-founding Middle Kingdom. Bo’s original vision for Middle Kingdom as standard bearers for Chinese-inspired modern design has expanded to embrace the work of other designers who share his insistence upon meaningful work of the highest integrity. Bo believes that beauty is an intrinsic human need that requires constant nurture and exploration.
FOEKJE FLEUR VAN DUIN
Foekje Fleur inspired the first collaboration with Middle Kingdom with her provocative Bottle series of porcelain vases. The Bottle series redefines trash from the canals of Rotterdam, Holland as art and opens a philosophical debate: what meaning can we ascribe to objects that were meant to have none? Foekje hopes through her work to bring attention to the problem of environmental pollution and our collective responsibility to live harmoniously with nature.
CAROLA ZEE
Carola Zee was educated as a graphic designer at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Her work is characterized by graphic decoration of the material and by the forms of the objects. Rigorous craftsmanship and the artisans responsible for making her work are the main focuses in her designs. Carola’s sensuous Unique series of cups and carafes for Middle Kingdom invite a pause and an exploration of the simple yet intriguing forms and textures.
ROXANNE FLICK
Roxanne Flick is an exciting young designer from Luxembourg. Her designs are characterized by geometric shapes inspired by everyday situations, nature and art. The combinations of different or experimental materials in her designs gives each object a new character. Roxanne recently graduated from the School of Design, Pforzheim University. Her Flamingo tea set debuted with Middle Kingdom in February 2017.
OLIVIA JIA
Olivia studied Environmental & Urban Studies and Sociology at the University of Chicago. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in urban planning and design. Her Tulip and Magnolia vases are part of Middle Kingdom’s Cold Mountain series and are inspired by a desire to render organic forms in sleek, modern silhouettes.