I Got a Thing for Chairs
Chairs hold memory, culture, and craft in every curve. Denise Chua highlights five striking designs by Asian creators that turn the ordinary into something quietly radical.
by Denise Chua
I’ve always believed that chairs hold more than just form and function—they carry memory, culture, and craftsmanship in every curve. Through my platform, igotathingforchairs, I’ve had the privilege of discovering and sharing pieces that redefine how we view design. These five chairs, created by Asian designers, all do something quietly radical: they transform the everyday into something extraordinary. Each piece speaks to the deep cultural significance and creative innovation that emerge when heritage and modern design collide. Here, I spotlight these designs as a celebration of both craftsmanship and the stories they tell.
Blowing Armchair 1 by Seungjin Yang
I discovered these chairs a few years ago and have adored them ever since. Created by Korean artist Seungjin Yang—who was fascinated by the transformative qualities of balloons—they blur the line between play and design. They’re whimsical, fun, and slightly surreal—reimagining the familiar in ways that feel entirely fresh. Discovering something new is exciting, of course, but there’s a different kind of brilliance in transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. That familiarity makes it easier for people to connect with. I love how Yang challenges form and stretches imagination in ways that spark conversation.
Pak Dong by Rumba Bor
Having grown up between Western and Eastern cultures, many objects stir layered memories for me. These stools, with their everyday practicality, instantly take me back to food courts and outdoor eateries in Asia—sharing local dishes, surrounded by laughter and the buzz of life. They remind me of the Monobloc chair, but rooted in a distinctly Asian context. Rumba Bor’s interpretation adds an exciting twist: the colours, the materials, the details. All her pieces are made from recycled plastic, they’re easy to assemble, and some even glow in the dark—which I’m honestly a little obsessed with.
Basket Chair by Isamu Noguchi
Noguchi created many iconic works that shaped our perception of design, but this chair is one I always return to. From its form to its materiality, it’s a brilliant example of traditional Asian craft interpreted through a modern lens. Anyone who sees it can recognize the influence of the traditional chair, modernized with a sleek, contemporary finish.
Round-backed Armchair by Shao Fan
Shao Fan’s Ming-style-inspired chair blends surrealist aesthetics with deep cultural references. It honors China’s past while engaging with the pace of global change. I deeply admire contemporary artists who reclaim and reinterpret their heritage. As individuality and cultural identity become increasingly scarce, preserving and celebrating our roots feels more important—and more beautiful—than ever.
Ming Dynasty Chair
Lastly, I couldn’t name five chairs by Asian designers without paying homage to the ultimate OG: the Ming Dynasty chair. It transports me—sometimes to my uncle’s living room in Singapore, other times to my mum’s Asian-inspired home in Spain. It’s a chair that bridges continents and centuries. This chair has inspired countless iconic designs, including Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chair. At the Design Museum in Copenhagen, there’s even a dedicated space honoring the Ming Dynasty chair’s influence. Beyond its elegance, the technique behind it is extraordinary—the joinery is remarkably complex, yet designed for easy disassembly, perfectly suited to the nomadic lifestyle of the time. It’s a masterclass in craftsmanship: intricate yet understated, delicate but deeply functional.
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Explore Denise Chua’s insights in the second issue of Centre Mag.
