The creative teams of architect-designer Edric Ong and his associates have been pioneering new designs with traditional artists of Sarawak in the area of textiles, basketry, fibers, ceramics, wood and stone.

Under the EO label, the focus has been on Eco-textiles: silk; ikat; natural dye; backstrap loom weaving; wood block; hand printed scarvs, stoles and wraps inspired by Sarawakian ethnic designs and motifs. The products are currently sold the Aseana Gallery at Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur and the Datai Shop, Langkawi.

Edric has written two books on Iban textiles entitled "Pua - Iban Textiles" and "Woven Dreams - Ikat Textiles of Sarawak", and the coffee table book "Sarawak Style" with renowned photographer Luca Tettoni.

He speaks at international conference on the Iban textiles and travels to promote Sarawak arts exhibitions. He also co-ordinates the weaving community at Rumah Garie, Sungai Kain and the Lun Bawang artists at Bekalalan as well as Iban basket makers at Batang-Ai.

EO Design marbled terracotta is another volume of work with a traditional Chinese potter in Sabah, infusing a combination with brass earings of the Kenyah, and carved wooden buckle figurines of the Dayak.

Set up in 1999, EO Products are now in international collections reflecting Sarawak style.

Edric Ong is the President of Society Atelier Sarawak, the Arts and Crafts Society of Sarawak in East Malaysia. He is also the Immediate Past President of the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), an organization that administers the UNESCO-AHPADA Craft Seal of Excellence since 2000.

An architect by training, he has designed several landmarks such as the Sarawak Cultural Village and the Kuching International Airport in Sarawak, East Malaysia. His interest in the heritage of his country has caused him to write several books eg. Sarawak Style, Pua-Kumbu-Iban Textiles; Woven Dreams-Ikat Textiles of Sarawak.

A noted speaker at International conferences, he has set up the World Eco-Fiber and Textile (WEFT) Network to further the cause of natural fibers and dyes. He was the Convenor of the WEFT Forum 1999, 2001 and 2003.He has won several awards including the American Aid to Artisans ‘ADVOCATE AWARD’; Australia Culture Award; ‘Penyokong Kraf Negara’ or Malaysian National Craft Award for Best Non-Government Organisation; the Sarawak State ‘Pegawai Bintang Sarawak’ award; and received Seals of Excellence from UNESCO-AHPADA and the Japanese G-Mark for many of his designs in the arts and crafts.

He has curated many exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, Australia, Japan, India, France, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA.

The label ‘EO-EDRIC ONG’ is the brand-name of his own company, EON COMPANY, registered in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

This company was formed in 1986 to help revive the traditional arts and crafts of Sarawak; and to innovate their designs for contemporary application in fashion, decoration and interiors.

Edric Ong has been involved with various groups of ethnic communities such as the Iban (ikat weavings, basketry, mats & pottery); Bidayuh (bamboo & wood carving); Lun Bawang & Kelabit (Reed and palm hats/mats; hand-made plant-fiber paper); Penan (basketry & mats); Chinese (terracotta ceramics); Malay (batik & weaving); Orang-Ulu (beadwork, wood carving, bark painting); Melanau (basketry).

Outside of Kuching, Edric Ong’s collection is now selling at Aseana Galleria, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, and The Datai in Langkawi, TANGS Singapore, Triphum Galleries at Gaysorn Plaza and Siam Paragon, Bangkok, and galleries in Korea and Japan.

In the United States, they are marketed by David McLanahan of ‘Jungle Arts and Flora’ in Seattle; and in Britain by Lord Medway, Jason Gathorne Hardy. Recently, his textiles won the Grand Prize at the International Textile Competition in Daegu, Korea.

Today the EO label centres on eco-textiles crafted from silk, cotton and other natural fibers using natural dyes inspired by Malaysian and Sarawakian ethnic designs and motifs. Renown for his work in reviving the 'ikat' weaving textiles of the Iban people, Edric also applies the motifs of these 'pua kumbu' textiles and the motifs of the Orang-Ulu people in hand printed and painted textiles using only natural dyes. These are fashioned into a collection of hand-printed and painted scarves, stoles and clothes for men and women. Even the colours of his fabrics come from the earth: natural tones derived from the rainforest. The chic, contemporary garments are comfortable yet stylish to wear. Everything is hand-made: from the batik block-printed designs to the handmade bark cloth and rattan buttons from the jungles of Borneo!