Interview | Studio Ham.

Hamming it up. Hannah and Mark from Studio Ham. Ummm… how AWESOME is this photo? Definitely my favourite here so far. Love it!

“Me So Horny” Light, 2007 – Vintage antlers, resin and rosewood.

Sketches for ‘Me So Horny’ lights.

Ok, so… Interviews like this one are exactly why I love what I do, and why I feel like such a lucky blogger. Enter Studio Ham – a fun, quirky, irreverent, spirited and talented duo based in Blackheath in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. Founded by the husband and wife team, Mark and Hannah Surtees, Studio Ham opened it’s door for business in October 2008.

Mark and Hannah focus on creating limited edition furniture, lighting and prints, using antique elements and sustainable materials creating the unexpected, but always useful. Just take a look at their “Me So Horny” light (above – oh, and how good is the name? Ten points!) which features vintage antlers, resin and rosewood. I don’t know about you, but I think they are genius.

Studio Ham seem to have very little regard for design trends, the fashionable and ‘of the moment’ products. Instead, their work strikes me as being authentic and a true extension of who they are individually and as a couple – two talented and clever people who don’t take themselves too seriously.

Hannah and Mark – I applaud you for your imaginative work, genuine originally and for your attitude towards work and life.

Studio Ham – keeping it real – and proudly brought to you by yellowtrace.

Word.

x dana

“Another Fine Mess” light , 2007 – Bowler hat, cast brass.

Sketches for “Another Fine Mess” light.

Hello Hannah & Mark, welcome to yellowtrace and thank you for taking the time to e-chat. Could you please give us a quick introduction on yourselves and Studio Ham?

Hello yellowtrace, it’s lovely to e-meet you we’re Hannah and Mark, we live in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains and together, we run Studio ham.  Studio ham is a small design studio that’s been up and running for about 2 years.

Although we both practiced different disciplines (Hannah, Graphics and Mark, Product Design), we found that there was a remarkable amount of crossover in our thinking and creative processes. We often found ourselves collaborating on projects so we combined our business offer to form Studio ham.

Projects are roughly classified into either Work or Play. Work is the commercial stuff; product commissions and graphic design.  Play is our own, studio based work that we market through our website.  As you’d expect, this has much more of an artistic approach and a more playful outcome.

When did you first decide to start your practice?

We made the decision to start our own business about 5 years ago.  We were living in Clovelly in a tiny rented apartment, both working long hours at our day jobs and spending all our free time on our own work.  We realised that what was originally a hobby was what we wanted to be doing full time, so we quit our jobs, bought a house in the mountains and put our efforts into developing our work into products that people would value and want to own.

Custom Corona chandelier at Mad Mex. Interiors byGiant. (p.s. Have you tired a pork burrito at Mad Mex? No? You must, it’s sooo good!)

Do you remember your first project?

Our first major project was for Justin & Georgia North, developing the identity and original artworks for their Etch Restaurant in Sydney.  The original introduction came from Mark McConnell of Mima (who developed the interior).

Justin & Georgia were really clear about what they wanted to achieve and very open to our ideas. They liked our approach and asked us to develop their identity and supply some original art for the restaurant.  We supplied 8 framed prints from our ‘Entertainers’ series and created a 9th one-off print especially for the restaurant that we called ‘Waiter there’s a head in my soup’.

What you are seeking to portray in your work? What is fundamental to your practice – your philosophy and your process?

Three clear themes are fundamental to our work. Functional Beauty, Inherent Personality and Random Juxtaposition.  We mix and match depending on the product or idea we’re developing.  It’s an organic process but creatively it works for us.

Can you describe your typical day of work?

Our typical days are predictably unpredictable because there’s any number of things going on, it’s a mixed bag and depends on what we’re working on at the time. We could be in the workshop, studio, out and about at a sawmill or skulking around a gallery.

Timber log stools for Toby’s Estate at Bondi Junction. Interiors by Giant.

What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your business?

You can’t do everything yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help in aspects of the business that don’t come naturally.

What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused, and expressive?

We find that doing something you love doesn’t require much motivation. Keeping multiple sketchbooks on the go is a must, making notes, sketching ideas & thoughts. Having them in an accessible place allows us to reflect, refine, and ultimately develop them into tangible concepts and ideas. Some grow to become products, others may sit there for years until they find their way out.

What are some of your main sources of inspiration? Are there any specific references you are drawing to regularly – books, websites/ blogs etc?

The internet is brilliant.  Before breakfast we’ve been round the world twice, had 3 cups of tea we can’t remember making, visited a couple of galleries in most major cities and we’re still in our pyjamas.

However, as Paul Smith says, ‘you can find inspiration in everything’ and that’s our view too. Rather than draw repeatedly from the same sources, we’re constantly exploring.

“Glove head” and “She lets me be so I can see” – A2 Giclée prints.

Who or what are some of your influences? What other artists, peers and creatives in general do you admire?

We’ve always found inspiration and been influenced by the free thinking of artists. We’re big fans of: Jeff Koons, Jim Lambie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Neasden Control Center, Penny Byrne, Dunne & Raby, Studio Job, just to name a few.

Is there something professionally you would like to try that you haven’t done yet?

We’ve always been interested in collaborating with other artists and designers, cross pollination of disciplines is something we’re very interested in. Working with ceramicists, glass blowers or fashion designers, throwing thoughts and ideas into the bag and seeing what comes out… unpredictable but exciting.

Left – “Ink” Individual artwork using printers ink on specialty paper. Right – “Sketches” a range of giclée prints showing the unseen sketches behind some of Studio Ham’s products.

What are you working on at the moment?

We’re in the process of redeveloping our website with help from our friends at pointsize creative. Because the business has evolved it’s really helped to have an outside opinion to force us to refine our offer.  It’s easy to get caught up in the creative output, but we need to learn to nurture the business side too.

Work wise we’re working on a couple of commissions and some environmental graphics.

Play wise we’re working on a ‘magic carpet’ table that uses a traditional Persian rug and appears to float. We’re also working on some new lights, ‘Top Hat & Tails” that as the title suggests uses a traditional top hat and fake ponytails and a light that’s a little Anthony Gormley meets 19th century cabinet maker. Prints are something we’re always working on and our new sketches series gives a little insight into the drawings and thought process behind some of our products.

What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?

It’s still early days, the business is still in its infancy so it’s about getting our name out there, banging on a lot of doors and keeping on learning and exploring.

Like many creatives there’s a constant struggle to balance the commercial side with the creative side without resorting to a compromise.  It’s important to us that our work is truthful and that’s something we aim to hold onto.

We’re keen to exhibit. it would be lovely to show our work in a gallery environment.

“Stitch-Up” Table, 2007 – Rosewood, sliver ash, elastic and glass.

Sketches for “Stitch Up”.

Let’s Get Personal:

What are the qualities you most like about yourself?

Not taking ourselves too seriously.

What are the qualities you most like in others?

Not taking themselves too seriously.

Apart from your work, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

Luckily we love what we do because between Studio ham, TLC on our house and garden and parenting, we don’t have tons of free time.  But living in Blackheath does have its bonuses for friends wanting a weekend break.  They love to get away and we love to entertain.

What are some of your favorite local galleries and shops {music, fashion, books, accessories, furniture vintage, other bits and pieces}?

Hat Hill Gallery is great, there are some very good local artists up here too. Gleebooks in the Heath, Cobweb Collectables near Mt Vic is definitely worth a butchers.

Custom screen dividers for Etch restaurant. Interior by Mima.

Your favourite cafes/ restaurants/ bars?

Locally it’s got to be Momento café, Gerhardts Goulash is legendary. They also do lovely coffees. Vulcan’s Restaurant is pretty good too, but only when we’re feeling flush.  Otherwise, you can’t beat our monthly growers market.  Amazing local produce and freshly baked cakes.  It beats trudging around Coles.

In Sydney Etch is great, though we’re biased of course.  We’ve a special place in our hearts for TigerMottle cafe in Paddington too.  It’s run by friends of ours and they do amazingly good coffee and great food.

What is your most treasured belonging?

Our wedding rings. We got them at Bondi Market for $20 each and had them engraved with personal messages.  The value is in their significance and the reminder that we’re a team.

It’s not very cool, but we really like…

Camping.

Your favourite joke?

One of Jimmy Carrs short jokes: venison’s dear isn’t it.

How would you like to be remembered?

With a wink and a smile.

Studio Ham also designed identity forEtch restaurant – shown here are menus, billfolds and business cards.