Today I learned of Tobias Wong’s passing, and can’t shake the feelings of shock and sadness. He was only 35.

Tobi had an unmatched ability to re-mix cultural artifacts, making objects that comment on our society and explore the notion of value. He was the master craftsman of humor, beauty, and wit. When Kegan and I started Design Glut, it was because we dreamed of creating conceptual objects with the kind of impact he achieved. His work sparked our imagination.

Boxcutter by Tobias Wong, 2002

Cokespoon #1 – a bronze casting of the ubiquitous pen cap dipped in gold

Doorstop – Concrete casting created in a Savoy vase, which then has to be unashamedly smashed in order to yield the form.

Camoflauge iPad case by Tobias Wong and Chelsea Briganti

I cannot believe I’ll never get to see a new idea from him, a brilliant nugget, something that alters my perception of the ordinary.

The first time we met him, in 2007, he was our hero and we were a couple of kids just out of school that could barely contain our excitement. Then and every time we’ve seen him since, we found him to be incredibly friendly and down-to-earth. Even though we only knew him casually, the news of his death is hitting me terribly hard. We wouldn’t be doing the kind of work we do if it weren’t for his influence. He was completely genius, unique, irreplaceable.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Kegan (left) and Tobi (right) outside the Wrong Store. Image via Core77