Max Walker
Max Walker
Mar 2024
How was your experience meeting Sung Hwan and building up the collection for this show?
Me and Sung Hwan met about a year ago through a "Brickell Brac" event. We got on really well straight away but anyone that's met Sung Hwan would probably say the same thing. Initially, we just wanted to do a trade of our work but as we were having tea we set up my ring on one of his Vases and the rest is history.
Has it felt natural for you to follow a creative path, coming from a family of artists?
Definitely. Being surrounded by creative work and people my whole life led to that world becoming normal to me. Although the rings only came later on, making things has always been a part of my life since I was young.
Making jewellery/art/weird shit has been the most natural, free flowing and enjoyable thing I have ever done.
You were born in Germany and travelled a lot through your childhood. How do you think this upbringing has influenced the way you are? Or how you approach your work?
I'm sure it has, although I couldn't tell you how or why. Maybe that's why my work ends up looking so chaotic and unintentional (kidding).
What does craft mean to you?
Total creative freedom. Being able to make anything and everything. WABI SABI
You told me that you design each work intuitively, I’m impressed that you have a variety of styles and techniques that you can apply to realise each design… has it taken a long time to build confidence in this process?
Sort of, but in a weird way. When I first started making, I used jewellery as an outlet to deal with life difficulties (so cliche I know). But that led to me shutting my brain off and letting my hands do all the work which, in a bizarre way, was the most creatively free feeling I'd ever had. Once things started to become slightly more routine and I realised that jewellery was something I wanted to pursue I had to work hard on not overthinking my creations and putting myself in a place where my hands work harder than my brain. I think the variety of my work comes from the fact that I (usually) don't think about what I'm making, I just.... make it
Does this creative process feel smooth ? Or do you have some styles that you struggle to finalise ? What do you do if you hit a wall ?
As much as I've talked about shutting my brain off, sometimes I allow my ideas to be much more impressive than my physical/creative capabilities. Every now and then I do have work that is much better in theory than in real life. When things like this happen I try to just move on and get on with something else. It's common for a piece to sit in my studio for days, weeks, months or sometimes even years before I figure out what I want to do with it. Often pieces that I was over ambitious with initially pop up a couple weeks later and I find new possibilities. I guess that means that even if I am struggling with a certain piece I know that eventually there will be a place for it. I wish you could see my pile of unfinished work, its borderline concerning.
You told me that you are moving to Europe in June this year. How exciting ! Do you have any projects lined up or ideas that you want to try out during the trip?
To be honest, I don't have anything pre planned for Europe at all regarding my work. The initial part of the trip will be a holiday, and once that ends/I run out of money I will be on the lookout for a studio space. I have a couple of shows coming up before I go, so hopefully those go well (buy my work please) and I’ll make sure Public Record is nice and stocked up.
(*If anyone knows someone with a studio space pretty much anywhere in Europe, I will pay in beer and wine)
Do you have a message for the people who purchased your work and wear your work for everyday / special occasions ?
You weirdos! Kidding, kidding.
The easiest thing to say is THANK YOU! Making my art is the only thing I've ever done that I feel like I could do forever so your support in purchasing the things I make is infinitely appreciated! Much love
