For several years now I’ve given my students an exercise based on the work of Tobias Wong — the artist/designer enfant terrible whose dada-esque work offered self-reffrential commentary on the intersection of design, culture and value. Through his work, interviews and collaborations with Philip Wood — the Citizen: Citizen curator who represents some of Tobi’s work — my students have found new levels of engagement with their work.
Tobias passed away Sunday. He was 35.
Like the rest of the art and design world, we owe Tobias Wong a dept for his contribution of conscience and clarity to our craft. Like his family and friends, we mourn his passing.
More on the designer, his work and a look at some previous mentions of him on this site.