Atelier V&F was co-founded by Chen Furong and Vega Zaishi Wang. Their professional background and artistic upbringing shape the character of Atelier V&F. Its work tries to break the divide of territories and cultures, with an inclusive narrative to interpret aesthetics and functionality. The two designers’ poetics of life and living, their respect for different materials’ true nature, and their unceasing pursuit of exquisite craftsmanship instill vitality into Atelier V&F’s works — from artistic sculptures, installations, and spaces to practical and utilitarian objects. As a married couple, Vega and Furong’s collaborative works embrace the non-utilitarian and pure beauty, and are thus emotionally powerful.

1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I come from Zhangzhou, a coastal city in southern China, where I grew up by the sea.

Vega is from Dandong, a city in northern China near the border with North Korea. We come from very different cultural backgrounds.

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

I loved drawing since I was a child—constantly and endlessly. That was the freest period of my artistic experience.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field, and what led you to the design creation ?

Yes, I have. I’m good at working independently. After graduation, I founded my own studio and launched a lighting brand called WUU. Later, I established Atelier V&F, focusing on sculptural design objects. In both directions, I’ve been exploring the boundaries and possibilities of design.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

After graduating, I curated an exhibition with a friend. We drove over 10,000 kilometers along eastern China in a van, seeking out marginal creators and documenting their stories. They created in such a direct way, without needing to be understood by others, simply doing what they loved. That deeply moved me. Since then, I’ve pursued pure creation, hoping to also be someone who simply creates what they love.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

I’m full of ideas—often narrative in nature. Inspiration can come from mythology or something as ordinary as a messy streetlight pole. I’m good at blending the figurative and the abstract into a new object in my mind. My works are often spiritual—romantic, poetic, gentle yet powerful.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

My day is divided into two parts. One is drawing—whether it’s concept sketches or abstract paintings, I draw every day. It calms me and helps capture fleeting ideas. The other part involves hands-on making and handling everyday affairs.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

I now use many materials that express a handcrafted feeling, because material is the first visual language of a piece. Even the same material can be expressed in many ways. I try to convey my emotions and narratives through the unique treatment of materials. Often, I spend a lot of time finding the right technique or surface finish for a specific work—it’s the most time-consuming and iterative part of the process.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

I’m very free with techniques. As a product designer, I collaborate with Vega—she’s a fashion designer and brings conceptual freedom from her field. We work with skilled artisans using hand-cast metals, special surface treatments, raw textiles, and stones. We’re good at combining different materials to enhance the storytelling of our works.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

If you have a good idea—get your hands moving!

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

I’m still jumping across multiple dimensions, so I don’t quite fit into a single category. My work is both romantic and poetic, yet also carries a rational, industrial side.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

Ronan Bouroullec, Vincenzo De Cotiis, Rick Owens.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Jerome Pereira, EWE Studio.

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Ding Yi, Enric Mestre, Park Seo-Bo. 

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Poetry. 

15. Is there anything you would like to add ?

Thank you to Gallery Philia for the interview.

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)

11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Let me think.

12. Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to carve time out of time.

13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Procrastination.

14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Becoming a parent.

15. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A rabbit.

16. Where would you most like to live?

Rome.

17. What is your most treasured possession?

My daughter.

18. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A long goodbye.

19. What is your favorite occupation?

Sculptor.

20. What is your most marked characteristic?

Calmness.

21. What do you most value in your friends?

Rational understanding.

22. Who are your favorite writers?

Yukio Mishima.

23. Who is your hero of fiction?

Orlando.

24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Siddhartha.

25. Who are your heroes in real life?

Those who make great vows.

26. What are your favorite names?

Harper (my daughter’s name).

27. What is it that you most dislike?

People with hidden agendas.

28. What is your greatest regret?

That a day only has 24 hours.

29. How would you like to die?

To quietly leave, surrounded by flowers.

30. What is your motto?

Everything will be resolved in time. (Very Chinese.)