Abie Abdillah: Lokal Furniture Industry Champion Who Penetrated the International Stage

Amidst the increasingly formidable challenges in the furniture export industry, Abie Abdillah, Head of the Furniture Design Development Division of HIMKI (Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association), urged business players to recognize the enormous potential of the domestic market. With a strong fighting spirit, Abie advised the Indonesian furniture industry to "dare to compete" domestically.

According to him, the sluggish global market and high production costs have made competition at the export level increasingly difficult. "We certainly hope for support from the government, but it seems we can't fully rely on it. Now, the association must encourage its members to enter the local market, where there is still a large niche," he said, without discounting the role of the export market.

Abie Abdillah himself actually has a major mission in the design field: to bring Indonesian furniture design to the international stage, a mission he carries out with full dedication. This Product Design graduate from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has long been in love with rattan, which he believes can represent Indonesian culture in the form of artistic furniture.

Rattan Crafts

"Rattan is unique, flexible yet strong," said Abie, explaining why this material is a mainstay in his various designs. For Abie, rattan has varying characteristics depending on its region of origin, and this is a particular attraction for design enthusiasts both at home and abroad.

Early in his career, Abie successfully designed the Bench Pretzel, a work inspired by the beauty of the organic form and simplicity of rattan. This bench became an icon in his career and offered a glimmer of hope for the Indonesian rattan industry, which was then experiencing decline.

With its minimalist yet characterful appearance, the Bench Pretzel caught the attention of national designers and soon became known internationally. This international recognition didn't make Abie forget the figures he admired. Domestically, he greatly respected the work of Prof. Imam Buchori Zainudin, while internationally, Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa served as his inspiration.

For Abie, both designers possessed the ability to create iconic and functional, even timeless, designs. "Pak Imam's works from the 1960s and 1970s are still beautiful and can be enjoyed today," he said, expressing his admiration.

Abie's hard work and dedication in exploring the characteristics of rattan and reinvigorating the image of Indonesian furniture globally have finally paid off. One of his most memorable achievements was winning the Singapore Furniture Awards, his first international award, marking the beginning of Abie's journey as a designer with a global reputation.

Abie currently works as R&D Manager at Artikraft, which exports home decor and crafts. He is also the Principal Designer of Studiohiji, a company he founded in 2014 and has collaborated with several brands, including Vivere, Bika Living, and Cappellini from Italy.

In 2016, Abie had the opportunity to exhibit his work at Milan Design Week, one of the world's most prestigious design events. His rattan chair, "Lukis," attracted attention, and the following year, it received the 2017 Good Design of the Year award from the Indonesian Ministry of Trade.

In his collaboration with Bika Living, Abie Abdillah seemingly took a break from his signature rattan furniture design by exploring a combination of other materials, such as wood, metal, and upholstery. The resulting collections, such as the Sheya coffee table and side table, the Cabana lounge chair, and the Maze console table, showcase a modern design approach while still highlighting local craftsmanship.

By maintaining an Indonesian identity through materials and processing techniques, Abie has taken his work to the international level, including at the prestigious Maison et Objet event in Paris. Abie's passion for continuous development is evident in his desire to explore natural materials beyond rattan, such as bamboo and other fibers.

One of his innovations is the Gong lamp, created with the help of Artikraft's industrialization process. Utilizing thin, translucent bamboo, the Gong lamp provides soft, unique lighting, creating an aesthetic distinct from typical furniture. This approach demonstrates Abie's ability to respond to market developments while elevating local materials to a higher level.

In addition to bamboo, Abie also developed lanterns using banana stem fiber, a material readily available in Indonesia but rarely explored in design. By utilizing this natural fiber, Abie not only creates functional and beautiful products but also demonstrates the immense potential of local resources in the craft industry. His work inspires the creative use of Indonesia's natural resources, strengthening his position as a resilient, adaptable, and insightful designer in the furniture industry.

With all his achievements, Abie Abdillah has not only made a name for himself but also brought honor to the Indonesian furniture industry, inspiring young craftsmen and designers who aspire to create and bring local culture to the world stage.