From merchandise to a store, Ong now additionally organises occasions. For instance, in December 2022, Jia by OCK curated Kiosks O2 in Plataran Canggu. The resort’s tropical panorama was reworked right into a three-day design exhibition-cum-creative market showcasing native manufacturers and artisans.
The laid-back festival-like ambiance was meant to make design accessible to the plenty. “We thought of summer time in Europe the place folks lay their very own rugs within the park. So, we laid down plenty of rugs and cushions on the ground. We had a workshop for hands-on participation, and a stage for musicians and meals tenants. Meals brings folks collectively; some folks stayed the entire day. Guests had been mendacity down, bringing youngsters, canine and even cats of their luggage. It was excellent,” stated Ong, clearly delighted.
When requested if all these different ventures have fed into his design journey, he says that he has turn out to be extra social. “I’m really very a lot a homebody,” he laughed. Extra significantly, he shared that he’s “extra artistic than he has ever been earlier than as a result of he had been pressured into doing various things.”
He elaborated: “Earlier than, all I thought of was lighting. Now, we’re going to launch a complete assortment of rugs subsequent 12 months. We’re going to design shelving and stools as effectively. For Jia by OCK, we’ll design lighting, however they are going to be completely different from Ong Cen Kuang. I need to discover extra shapes, and a special approach of working.”