There’s an ancient Asian legend that only when the last human being has either died or fallen in love will the dragons emerge from their hiding place to reclaim the world. Only when the last drop of malice, greed and despair has been washed away will these magnificent beasts emerge from their hiding place. Which is? Apparently they exist in the form of the koi…
It may be a tall tale, but it certainly seems to apply to local label Koi Koi. In a world full of dark desires and unyielding torment, this super kitsch accessory and t-shirt collection has emerged as a bright light of fun and frivolity… all the while holding on to its humble origins. Koi Koi is anything but coy; produced single handedly by Korean born Kyoung [no last name – very Madonna], her grass roots label pops with colour and child-like imaginings.
Her most standout pieces are her accessories – delicately chained pieces of Lego click together in a variety of styles, some hanging low and loud, others arranged in more familiar shapes. As individual works these make a bold, brave statement and are attention grabbing from the get go. These ingenious items are displayed amid fabric covered, oversized badges (which commonly take on the form of love hearts or dolls) and more traditional beaded works.
Koi Koi also produce dynamic, brightly printed (and phenomenally well-priced) t-shirts. Pixel blocked images such as stags and skulls are rendered in fluorescents and discrete blacks. Throw these in amid an assortment of hand produced bags, recycled boutique fashion and other creative one-offs, and Koi Koi emerge as a daring dragon amid the endlessly reproduced clone labels.
The true charm of Koi Koi, however, is that it is so local that it is only available every Saturday and Sunday, 10am until 5pm, at the Art Gallery Markets in The Cultural Centre outside the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
