June 2005
ARTIST ROBERT KUO CREATES INSPIRED HOME ACCESSORIES EXCLUSIVELY FOR BAKER KNAPP & TUBBS

CHICAGO (June 27, 2005) — By combining a remarkable eye for lovely organic shapes with rare skills as a practitioner of ancient artistic techniques, world-renowned artist Robert Kuo has developed a line of tabletop lamps and accessories that are available exclusively at Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms and Baker Stores. Using raw materials such as rock crystal, jade and rare metals, and employing ancient techniques of repousse, cloisonné and lacquering, Baker is highlighting 16 pieces that are stunning examples of the beauty and depth of the collection.

The compilation consists of lamps, candelabras, sculptures, boxes and other tabletop pieces, all of which are destined to become the artistic focal point of any setting. Each piece is a rare collectible that is signed by the artist and exhibits the unique appeal that comes from the combination of natural materials and sculptural design.

Robert Kuo has long been on the cutting edge of avant-garde design, and his work has been admired for its novel take on ancient Asian practices. His fresh interpretation of early Eastern forms results in artwork that is unquestionably contemporary in nature, but with a birthright that goes back many centuries. These pieces for Baker Knapp & Tubbs are elegant in their simplicity; the innate hues and subtle characteristics of the elements revealed through their clean lines and unadorned shapes.

To create these new pieces, Kuo primarily used three time-honored techniques — repoussé, lacquering and cloisonné — all of which were developed hundreds of years ago by Chinese artisans. Some of these skills had long been lost to the ages and have been revived by Kuo through years of careful study and training. Repoussé, which is employed on all textured metal surfaces is the traditional art of meticulous hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal copper to give pieces a remarkably tactile feel and depth of character. Lacquering refers to the time-consuming process of laying thin sheets of translucent tree sap over metal or wood to create an extremely hard, clear finish. The sculptural white standing gourds, for example, have 60 layers of lacquer layered over a copper repoussé base. Finally, cloisonné, which is the method used to create chic coral and tiger patterns, is the technique of artistic enameling on metal that dates back to the Byzantine Empire.

These extraordinary pieces for Baker Knapp & Tubbs represent a significant artistic achievement by this renowned craftsman. With their ancient bloodlines, luxurious materials and modern forms, these pieces will certainly add flair, beauty and history to any home.

Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. includes Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms, and Baker Stores. Along with McGuire Furniture Company and Ann Sacks tile, stone and plumbing company, it is part of the Kohler Interiors Group and wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath designs.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, home interiors, and hospitality services.