Manikhong
Born in Laos, a country surrounded by mountains with all kinds of trees, I came to the United States in 1979 and began to study what I love best ” Wood working” at Laney college in Oakland, CA. . After graduation, I started my own studio/workshop with my brothers, making boxes, furniture, gift items and little toys for kids. I returned home in 1990 for a visit, with the exposure to exotic wood I see in Laos, my works is ever-changing….
Now collaborlating with my brother (souphong manikhong) our work are inspired by the natural shape and form we find in the trees, flowers, water, wind and fire. Each piece is one of a kind, finished with extreme care. Our work are made from the rare and exotic woods, the rosewoods, the ebonies, the amboyna and afzelia, burls, etc. Almost all of the wood we use come from discarded and unwanted tree sections such as the crotches, the strumps, the branches or the root of the trees. The unique artistry is based on our own perception of nature. Using the talents as both an artist and craftsman we strive to create something extraordinary. In each of our creations the inspiration of nature, a leaf blown by the wind or a single flower can be seen. Through recognizing and following the natural flow of the wood itself, we are able to use the combined methods of turning, carving, sculpting, and sanding to shape the various pieces of naturally fallen timber: trunk, roots and branch unions. The essence of the wood, both color and texture, is brought out in the lustrous veneer, a result of several coats of tung oil applied, and some pieces is also covered with renaissance wax, rubbed and buff by hand!
Note: Green work.
All of our artwork is hand-made using naturally fallen wood as well as discarded pieces such as the root and crotch of the tree. A water-based polyurethane, low in VOC, and Tung oil which has become popular as an environmentally friendly wood finish, is used to create the lustrous finish. It is through the use of these environmentally friendly methods that we are able to call our artwork green.
