Cobonpue named Pratt ‘Legend’
MANILA, Philippines — Internationally acclaimed Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue received the Pratt Legends of 2023 award last Thursday night (Friday morning Manila time) in New York.
Pratt Institute is among the world’s top 10 art and design schools. Cobonpue graduated from Pratt in 1991, summa cum laude.
Cobonpue, whom Pratt called the “design rockstar,” is the first Asian Pratt Legend “recognized for his significant contributions to the global furniture and design industry.”
“Be passionate about what you do and make it better while remaining true to yourself. Never stop learning,” the designer said as he “continues to pave his legacy as the beacon of inspiration to aspiring designers.”
Other 2023 awardees are architect Edward Maria and artist Kay Walkingstick. Pratt has honored 73 Legends since 1999, including fashion designers Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs, photographer Bruce Weber, chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud, architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, commercial industrial designer Karim Rashid.
“I wanted my designs to bring out the child in other people,” said Cobonpue. His designs that draw inspiration from human experiences make his pieces feel genuine and warmly connect with people. His captivating pieces have earned him worldwide recognition – chosen as the first “Maison et Objet Asian Designer of the Year” and styled by TIME Magazine as “Rattan’s First Great Virtuoso.”
Seeking to make a difference in the world of design, Cobonpue “started to experiment with different materials and simple structures.” The use of natural materials has always been part of his brand DNA, creating works that are both durable and sustainable. “I have been making sustainable furniture even before I really understood what sustainable meant,” he said.
His bamboo car concept “Phoenix” highlighted alternative, sustainable designs for transportation and challenged the conventional by sourcing renewable materials, and building it by hand with minimal tools and energy.
He fuses natural materials with the traditional crafting techniques of skilled artisans to give each piece its quality and durability. “High-level craftsmanship is required to make every piece,
