Eugene - Your process starts with drawing lines, which then become sculptures. How does this simple beginning help you express your bigger ideas about creativity? How do you think your work helps push creative boundaries?

Jinil - Just as every beginning is similar in its essence, when I first delved into the world of art, the very first step I took was practicing lines on a vast sheet of paper—like a baby taking its first steps. Then, as I entered an art college specialising in metal crafts, and gradually learned more about design and art, a sense of boredom crept in. That’s when I realised that breaking free from the confines of precise perspective and clean lines felt liberating. It was in that moment that I felt my creativity expand beyond its limits.

QUESTION 1

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Eugene - The emotions you feel are important in your art, and you turn those feelings into shapes or structures. How do you think this changes the way we usually think about art? What do you want to show us about creativity through this?

Jinil - I don’t believe its vastly different from other forms of art. A painter expresses through canvas and brush, while I explore my own expression through the medium of metal craft, the discipline I’ve studied. My emotions are like the ebb and flow of the tide—sometimes calm, other times restless. And it’s in those moments of quiet or turbulence that I find my feelings emerging as lines, sculpted through the instant decisions of welding or the rhythmic strikes of a hammer.

Eugene - Turning a 2D drawing into a 3D sculpture is hard, but it also has a strong meaning. How do you see this process of 'bringing drawings to life' as a way to explore or change what creativity can be?

Jinil - Each person has their own way of expressing the creativity they carry within. For me, it was about bringing to life the doodles I’d drawn, turning them into something tangible. I wanted the drawings I created to transcend paper, to become something you could touch, something that served a simple, yet meaningful purpose.

Eugene - Wire is both natural and industrial at the same time. How does working with this material-bending, welding, shaping it - help you express things we often overlook in creativity? What does wire bring to your work about art, design, and function?

Jinil - Wire is a material that is both commonplace and inexpensive, yet remains a fundamental building block still used in countless industries. I believe the difference lies in how we choose to use it. Just as a simple stainless steel sheet may become a road sign in one place, or a sculptural piece by Anish Kapoor, or a chair by Ron Arad in another, the true value of a material is defined by the person who can reveal its captivating essence.

QUESTIONS 2, 3 and 4

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Eugene - You don't focus on making your work perfect. Each piece is unique because of this. How do you think letting things be imperfect challenges the idea that creativity must be controlled or polished? How does this help bring new ideas to life?

Jinil - There are already countless beautiful designs in the world—products with perfect proportions and finishes, crafted by designers far more skilled than I. So, I envisioned my personal works to carry a sense of freedom, a certain fluidity that sets them apart. Yet, the truth is, the works I create today are, to some extent, controlled. But this control is subtle—it’s focused on the parts of the piece where human hands will directly engage, where the tactile experience becomes most intimate.

Eugene - Your work is both strong in structure and emotional in feeling. How do you balance these two parts of your work—technical and emotional? How does this balance change how we think about creativity?

Jinil - At my core, I studied metal craft, a discipline rooted in the tradition of artisans creating beautiful yet functional works for everyday life. Sometimes, I feel as though my pieces express emotion in an intense way, but when I ask my friends, they often find it less overwhelming than I imagine. There’s always a balance, they say, where practicality and function still hold sway, even in the most expressive moments. I believe that point of balance is what gives the work it’s harmony.

Eugene - As a teacher at Hongik University, you help students explore different ways of creating. How do you encourage them to go beyond traditional ideas and think outside the box? How does this fit with your bigger vision of creativity?

Jinil - In class, my focus is on helping students develop the ideas they’ve conceived and guiding them through the technical aspects of bringing those ideas to life. Their minds are younger and more creative than mine, and I’m aware that my role isn’t to overshadow that, but to offer the benefit of my broader experience. When a student’s concept risks crossing a line—taking a direction that may not work as they intend—or when they face challenges in the process, I’m there to collaborate, to think through those obstacles together, and to offer support along the way.

QUESTIONS - 5, 6, and 7

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Lines - Chair, table and lamp with lady sat holdig wine glas

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Eugene - You choose designs that are not only beautiful but also practical. How do you choose what to make? Does the process ever surprise you in ways you didn't expect?

Jinil - I simply choose whatever I feel like creating that day. Some days I’m drawn to make a chair, other days it’s a light fixture. But once I start a piece, I tend to immerse myself in it for a week, or sometimes even a month, fully focused on bringing it to life. Lately, though, I’ve been approaching my work with a bit more caution, taking the time to consider each step more carefully.

Eugene - There’s a unique visual language in your work that feels both conceptual and tactile. How do you develop such distinct design elements, and what influences your aesthetic choices?

Jinil - I do not challenge the definition of art and design. What I do simply exists on the borders. It involves a labor-intensive, craft-centred process, offering visual delight through its outcome. It’s a piece that serves a modest function, a sculpture of sorts—not a work laden with profound meaning. I simply find joy in the act of creation itself.

Eugene - What advice would you give to emerging designers who are looking to create meaningful, innovative work in a field that’s becoming increasingly saturated with digital noise?

Jinil - If you are in an environment where you can utilize advancing digital technology, I hope you actively adopt and take the lead in applying new technologies to explore creative work. Technological advancements have brought significant changes to art and design, and I believe we are currently in a crucial transitional period.

However, if your inclination is more towards traditional craftsmanship, like myself, working with metal and focusing on handcrafting, then first and foremost, do not give up. Always observe your surroundings carefully and practice perceiving brief moments from a different perspective. Over time, you will encounter moments that inspire you, and I believe this will eventually lead you to create meaningful work.

QUESTIONS - 8, 9 and 10

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Jinil Park is a furniture designer whose creative journey is grounded in the simplicity of line and form. His work—an exploration of metal craft—transcends traditional design boundaries, blending the tactile with the emotional, the functional with the conceptual. Much like an artist starting with the most basic element, Park’s process begins with a line—an unassuming shape that evolves into complex sculptures that speak to both the practical and the expressive. In this interview, Park opens up about how his unique approach challenges the conventions of design, pushing the limits of creativity while embracing the beauty of imperfection. Through his work and teachings, he continues to inspire others to explore new dimensions of what design can be, encouraging a balance between artistic freedom and technical mastery.

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH FURNITURE DESIGNER JINIL PARK

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For any of her followers who may be wondering, a shopping trip with Abi Masters is a bit like stepping into every ugly duckling makeover; every slow-motion strut down Beverley Hills Boulevard overladen by armfuls of boutique bags; every “My dad gave me this card for emergencies and trust me, this is an emergency” montage of noughties television come to life. Watching her eyes dart between pieces, connecting tones and textures – a world of possibilities contained in the clothes rail – it’s clear that Abi is in her element. We began our day at Poppy’s Girl, a boutique vintage stall run by one of Abi’s friends and, before we could blink, the style icon had whisked a fully coordinated outfit from the racks. A pair of brown suede micro-shorts, and an earth-toned mesh top with pink accents to match the detailing on some vintage cowboy boots: a fit to make Carrie Bradshaw herself swoon. Abi’s unique and self-assured style can be credited to her upbringing, particularly her mother, who sounds like a style icon in her own right. “She dresses how she wants, and she doesn’t really give a fuck what anyone thinks”, Abi tells us, alongside some words of wisdom that we could undoubtedly all benefit from hearing: 

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“Dress how you want, wear what you want, do what you want. Because it’s your life, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

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This lesson has certainly carried through – Abi Masters knows exactly who she is: “The minute I become predictable, it’s over.” She carries herself with surety in front of the camera and when you see her in action; so comfortable in her own skin, you can’t help but want to be too. It was surprising, then, to hear that she works through some pretty gnarly imposter syndrome. When asked how she overcomes this in the interests of her work, she points out that: “You kind of realise how insignificant you are, but that’s not necessarily a negative thing because it’s so freeing. You’re like, genuinely no one gives a shit, like, you do you!” This premise is also one of the reasons that London has become Abi’s creative hub; the anonymity of the city offering a liberating freedom to pursue individuality and creative expression. “Everyone here is sick, everyone here’s got their own style” she tells us, confessing that she loves nothing more than sitting in a coffee-shop and people-watching. Abi draws creative inspiration for her work from her surroundings in everyday life:


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“I’ll be walking into Soho and I’ll be like, ‘That’s a really cool colour!’ or, ‘I remember a top I’ve got that’s that colour at home, I haven’t styled it yet.’ Everything kind of connects.”

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Abigale Masters on Sofa

It’s clear that London is where Abi belongs, and as she breaks into the luxury fashion space, she’s made it her priority to remind the city of the luxe potential of shopping vintage. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without charity shops”, she tells us, and we hear whisperings of plans to collaborate with British charities sometime in the future. As Abi continues to promote the creative, environmental, and economic potential of sustainable fashion, we’ll be watching along every step of the way and can’t wait to see where she goes next.

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@abigalemasters is making fashion fun again. When 14stroke16 joined the influencer for a shopping trip down Portobello Market, we were greeted by a whirlwind of tulle and twill; clusters of clips, rings, and tooth gems glinting in the sun. As if the word “bisous” had got up from the pages of a dictionary and started walking around; Abi has an irresistible charm. Her look was a playful take on business-core, pairing a pinstripe shirt, waistcoat, and tie with a grey tutu, and she prides herself on her commitment to buying and wearing exclusively pre-loved clothes. Encouraging her followers to experiment the same way, she says that “shopping second-hand, you’re given this whole realm of creativity that you can’t get from going just to the high street.” Having built an ever-growing audience off her infectious personality and joyful approach to dressing, and it’s easy to see how a few TikToks documenting her charity shop and car-boot endeavours have taken Abi out of her childhood bedroom to working in the capital with some of the biggest brands out there.

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ABIGALE MASTERS - MAKING FASHION FUN AGAIN

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Having grown up in such an artistic family, maybe it is. He tells us that “there was just always music going on in my house... there was just, noise”, and with inspiration abounding from his father, aunts, and uncles alike, his path was clear: “I guess I had the pick of the litter of what direction I wanted to go into musically.” He cites the likes of Pharrell, Quincy Jones, and Max Martin as his primary influences, and was drawn to production for its multi-faceted role in the creative process; allowing him to combine his love for writing, composition, and – most importantly, creative collaboration. He tells us:

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“It’s being in service to the thing that you love. And everyone who I’ve looked at who’s super successful, they’ve always made sure there’s a humility to, you know, how they approach the game. And it always starts with, “I’m in service to this artist, I’m in service to this company, or to whatever.”

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Despite their cross-border and cross-genre variations, Kwame’s productions can each be identified by an intricate sonic tapestry – his own personal ‘Wall of Sound’, if you will. In tracks like ‘Angels in Tibet’ for Amaarae, and EXO’s ‘Cream Soda’, you can hear his delicate multi-track arrangements, rising and falling with crisp melodic tension, while maintaining their energy with contagious, driving rhythms. These features stamp his work distinctly as his, like an artist’s signature in the bottom right-hand corner, and it’s a testament to his craft that this personal touch can be found applied to such a broad breadth of genres. When we ask about his process, Kwame tells us that instead, he has processes.

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His foundation always starts with authenticity, but he allows himself “to be as open and receptive to whoever’s in the room with me.” Rather than any one personal ritual or tradition, he moulds his creative approach to the artist that he works with – “my process is more, ‘how do I connect with this human being?’” We find that this fluid creative approach also applies to the places he creates in. From London to Paris, LA, Accra, and Lagos, Kwame tells us that “the sound is still the same, but certain decisions I make around it might be different.” Always a traveller never a tourist, he looks to his hosts for “whatever’s either popping, or whatever feels good, I’ll latch on to that, and just add my sauce that way.” This adaptable approach to making music is also expressed in his personal style. Wearing a dark-wash contrast-stitch cowboy tux with oxblood leather boat shoes, Kwame tells us that his wardrobe strives “for uniqueness as much as possible” and would “rather thrift something or get something tailored. Like, with my music everything is bespoke, so my clothes also are a similar thing.” Drawn to comfort and practicality in design, he notes the influence of fashion on the music he makes:

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“Everything from how I feel in an outfit can sometimes dictate what I make. Do you know what I mean? Like, there’s times when I’ve come from the club and I know I’m looking wavy and I’m just like, “Listen, let’s just go back and make something lit.”

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Listening to him, it’s apparent that the pursuit of self-expression and authenticity permeate so many of his decisions; the potential for creative endeavour to be found around every corner. One piece of advice he’d give his younger self? “Believe in your authenticity, believe in your uniqueness. Because that is the thing that’s gonna make you successful. All the different avenues you went down to try and be things that you’re not? Great learning experience. But it’s not you, stay the same.” Or ask he originally put it: “Big man? Trust your ting.” 

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Undoubtedly something everyone could use hearing every now and then.

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It’s not every day you sit down with a legend in the making. When 14stroke16 sat down with Kwame KZ Kwei-Armah, we had the unmissable chance to be flies-on-the-wall in his North London studio. KZ is perhaps best known for his twofold nomination at last year’s Grammys under Best R&B Album for Babyface’s Girls Night Out, and Best Song Written for Visual Media with Lift Me Up from the Black Panther Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Couple those with his BAFTA under Best Original Score/ Music for the BBC’s hit mini-series Mood, and it’s clear that we’ve got a veritable virtuoso of musical storytelling on our hands. A storyteller who can spurn the spoken word cuts to something deeper, more visceral in the human condition. Relaying narrative and rousing emotion while transcending the confines of language is a feat most artists could only aspire to – and one Kwame makes look as easy as breathing.

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“the idea of getting people out of their shells and having a flowing conversation… I take pride in being able to get that out of people.”

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Building an unavoidable rapport with those around him by sheer force of personality, he understands this as something that’s always been a part of him, and credits to growing up in North London: “It’s very multicultural so I’m around a lot of people. Now I’m interviewing, there’s kind of the common ground of being from London mixed in with that.” While the role seems to come naturally to him, Rambo didn’t set out with an ambition for content creation. Like so many young people at the time, he began his creative journey in lockdown, and explains that, “I was consuming a lot of content; a lot of podcasts, a lot of interviews and, just sitting there, just watching it, enjoying it – it made me think, ‘You know what? I could do this.’” Finding himself in more and more musical environments as a result of his friend’s own creative journey, Rambo took the opportunity to use the settings and people around him;

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“started doing videos here and there, interviews for certain people, and one part after another, now I’m here.”

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Man facing the wall wearing a supreme bomber jacket.

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The unshakeable positivity of his content makes Rambo’s rise to success somewhat unsurprising, and he admits that “it’s gone well because, like, people like me. Whether it’s off camera or on camera, they like me.” Having made several appearances at London Fashion Week, Rambo tells us that he’s excited to break into new spaces: “I’m not in a rush, you know? And I really do appreciate being, like, a figure within the music industry, even if it’s still on the upcoming, like, I’m recognised for that and I still love that. But definitely, would love to venture out and be in other spaces.”
When we ask him where he sees it all going, Rambo says he hopes to maintain

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“the same thing but just bigger and better.”

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It’s difficult to imagine a world where this wouldn’t be the case. Rambo’s content is marked by a contagious optimism that the streets of London just can’t resist, and offers the internet a project in human connection that it is long over-due. In his own words, Ramboistalking is “well-versed to talk to anyone because, at the end of the day, like, everyone’s just a person.”

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Readers might know Ramboistalking for his prolific record of interviews across the UK music scene, or they might be more familiar with his high-energy, man-on-the-street content. But when 14stroke16 sat down with him on a cloudy Sunday afternoon, we weren’t greeted by the man with the mic, but by a composed type – deliberate with his words, and holding a quick, understated wit. Not nearly the loudest person in the room, Rambo explained to me, laughing, that “Ramboistalking doesn’t really talk that much. When the camera’s on, I just– not turn it on, but just, amplify it.” This shines through in his work. Whilst he provides an energised and engaging presence to his interviews, Rambo listens far more than he speaks and this could be why, regardless of whether he’s interviewing a capital-P Personality or a stranger on the street, he has a remarkable ability to set those around him at ease. He explains that he’s drawn to the interview dynamic by 

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH FURNITURE DESIGNER JINIL PARK

RAMBOISTALKING ON PRESENTING, FASHION AND THE FUTURE

ABIGALE MASTERS - MAKING FASHION FUN AGAIN

KZ - THE FACE BEHIND THE ARTISTS