Whether you are a penny-pincher or ready to splurge, streaming has something for every kind of moviegoer. In line with this, Putlocker was once a top destination for movie lovers. It was considered a great free option for streaming. However, it operates in legal gray areas. So, it is now more or less a minefield of fake mirrors and malicious ads. Yes, there is a chance that it might work smoothly again. But why wait for that when you have a list of alternatives that put steaming power in your hands?
Five Recommended Putlocker Alternatives
Paramount+
Paramount+ gives you access to a huge library of content for a fairly affordable subscription plan. Besides having an outstanding collection of movies, it also features live sports. Moreover, it has TV shows from Comedy Central, BET, MTV, CBS, and Nickelodeon, with more than 40,000 full episodes.
Vudu
Vudu has a new official name — Fandango at Home. But it still offers the same great selection of ad-supported and rental content. More concretely, it is Fandango Media’s streaming service and digital video store.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV blends on-demand movies with live streaming. Plus, all its content offering is free and ad-supported. Additionally, it has channels dedicated to reality shows, drama, classic films, and even action. To top it off, it contains 250 channels perfect for casual viewing.
Xumo
Xumo or Xumo Play offers a free streaming service that has an on-demand library and live TV. Also, this platform boasts 15,000 titles on demand and over 350 channels. In line with this, the content of Xumo is ideal for watching anytime on any device.
Tubi
Tubi lets you enjoy free movies and TV shows online in high quality. Furthermore, its content includes titles from different genres, such as horror, comedy, action, and sci-fi. And, of course, it is free, legal, and ad-supported!
Mirror Sites for Putclocker
According to Droid4X, these are a few of the working mirrors for Putlocker:
https://putlocker.ma/
http://putlocker99.online/
http://putlockerfree.net/
Even though these proxy sites may save you from needing to find an alternative, they may expose you to other dangers. Some of the threats are malware, scams, and data theft.
Reddit Community Updates
Putlocker may have become outdated, but it had a solid fan base during its glory days. Accordingly, Reddit users can testify to that.
r/Piracy:“Absolutely agree with you. That was a really good time. Putlocker was really one of the best websites ever,” replies kandysmith.
Final Thoughts
As Putlocker struggles to regain momentum, you do not have to wait and stop watching. This article proves there is more to discover in the world of steaming. Further, remember that the next great show is always a click away.
Let’s be honest. Sunglasses are the ultimate cool-girl accessory. They add mystery, edge, and that pulled-together vibe to literally any outfit. But if your current pair is all style and no substance, it might be time to upgrade to something that does more than just complete your look.
Enter ZEELOOL’s UV protection lenses. We’re not talking about your basic throw-on shades. These are special lenses that shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and come with all the chic vibes you want for spring and summer. Because when the sun’s out, your eyes should be just as protected as your skin.
The Hidden Dangers of UV Rays on Your Eyes
You might be surprised to learn that just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by UV radiation. Too much exposure to UVA and UVB rays isn’t just uncomfortable, it can lead to long-term issues like cataracts or macular degeneration, which is a fancy way of saying your vision fades as you age. But even in the short term, UV rays can cause redness, irritation, or that weird blurry feeling after a few hours at the beach or on a sunny drive. UV lenses can step in to stop the damage before it starts, and they do it while making sure you are looking seriously good.
Why UV Protection Matters Every Day, Not Just on Vacation
If you’re thinking UV protection is only necessary when you’re on a beach vacation, think again. Sunlight doesn’t wait for your out-of-office reply. Whether you’re on your way to work, hitting the farmers market, sipping an iced coffee on a patio, or just out on a sunny day for a walk, UV rays are out in full force. Your eyes are getting hit with sun exposure during all those little moments that add up throughout the day.
ZEELOOL UV Lenses: Designed for Real Life and Style
That’s why ZEELOOL UV lenses are a must for your real, everyday life. They’re perfect for morning commutes when the sun is blinding just as you’re trying to get your day going. They make a huge difference on weekends when you’re checking off errands or relaxing outside. They’re even key for your WFH outdoor work setups, like when you bring your laptop to your favorite outdoor café. And if you’ve got plans for concerts or summer festivals, ZEELOOL sunglasses that protect and elevate your look are non-negotiable.
Fashion Meets Function: Sunglasses That Protect and Impress
The best part? These days you don’t have to sacrifice style to stay protected. Fashionable brands like ZEELOOL are giving us UV400 sunglasses that bring all the personality and all the coverage. Think oversized drama for a touch of glam, sleek angular lines for a more athletic edge, or minimalist gold frames for that barely-there chicness. If bold colors and retro shapes are more your thing, there’s a pair out there with your name on it. And yes, they all protect your eyes from 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Advanced Lens Technology for Enhanced Comfort and Vision
Today’s lenses are also way more advanced than they used to be. Some styles come with polarized lenses that cut down glare when you’re driving or chilling near water. Others offer photochromic tech that adapts to light automatically, great if you’re constantly moving between indoor and outdoor spaces. And let’s not forget about scratch-resistant and anti-smudge coatings that keep your glasses looking as good as you do, even on your busiest days. High-contrast tints can even boost your view by making colors pop and reducing that constant urge to squint in harsh light.
Eye Wellness: The Next Step in Your Self-Care Routine
If you’re already doing all the important wellness things, you know hydrating, wearing sunscreen, taking screen breaks, adding UV protection for your eyes is just the next step in common sense. Your skin and body get all the self-care love, so why not extend that love and give your eyes the same treatment? Especially when your shades can double as both a wellness essential and a personal style staple.
Final Words
Finding the right pair is all about knowing what fits your vibe. Start with ZEELOOL frames that make you feel confident and go from there. Just make sure they include UV400, which is the gold standard for full UV protection. From there, it’s just a matter of picking the frame material, shape, and lens tint that speaks to your personality and lifestyle.
Need prescription lenses? No problem. You can still get UV protection built right in, so there’s no need to switch between glasses and shades all day.
This season, don’t just toss on any old pair of sunglasses. Treat your eyes like the main character. Choose ZEELOOL eyewear that protects you from the sun, keeps you comfortable, and completes every look from golden hour selfies to casual grocery runs.
Explore ZEELOOL’s UV-protective eyewear collection and find the pair that’ll elevate your everyday style and keep your eyes happy from sunrise to sunset.
Poker is a famous card game that requires players to have a strategy, knowledge of psychology and the ability to make quick decisions. For beginners, one of the first steps in learning is to familiarize themselves with the poker rank chart. In this article, we will look at why knowing the hand rankings is a must, what difficulties beginners face, and how to effectively teach beginners the basics of poker.
Why Understanding Hand Rankings Is the First Step
Without knowledge of hand rankings, players will not be able to evaluate the strength of their combination, compare it to the possible combinations of their opponents and make informed betting decisions. Mastering Hand Rankings helps beginners to play more confidently, understand the dynamics of the game and develop their strategic skills. It also helps to avoid the pitfalls of misjudging the strength of a hand, which can lead to losses in the game.
Challenges New Players Face with Hand Rankings
For many beginners, memorizing and correctly interpreting hand rankings proves to be a challenge. The main difficulties include the large number of combinations, the need to memorize their order, and understanding the differences between similar hands. In addition, beginners often find it difficult to visualize combinations in practice, making learning more difficult. All of this can lead to confusion and uncertainty about their own actions at the table.
Breaking Down Poker Hand Rankings
Poker hands are divided into ten basic ranks, starting with the strongest and ending with the weakest:
Royal Flush – A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit. The strongest hand in poker.
Straight Flush – Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank.
Full House – three cards of one rank and a pair of another.
Flush – five cards of the same suit out of order.
Straight – five consecutive cards of different suits.
Three of a Kind – three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair – two pairs of different ranks.
One Pair – two cards of the same rank.
High Card – When none of the above combinations are collected, the highest card wins.
Visualizing Hand Rankings with Examples
The use of visual charts or pictures of real hands makes understanding the ranks much easier. For example, you can create a table with images of each combination to help you visually remember the structure and distinguishing features of each hand. Practical examples of real game situations also enhance learning by allowing players to see how hand ranks play out in a real game.
Creating a Memorization System
You can also use various associations and mnemonic techniques to memorize the order of hand ranks. For example, you can think of stories or images associated with each combination to make them easier to remember. Categorizing the ranks into groups by strength also helps to structure the information. Regular repetition and practice combined with these methods greatly speeds up the memorization process.
How to Teach Hand Rankings Step by Step
Teaching hand rankings should start with the simplest combinations and gradually move on to more complex ones. The first step is to familiarize yourself with Pairs and the Senior Card, as these are the easiest to understand. Then you can move on to Two Pairs, Threes, etc., ending with Royal Flush. Each combination should be explained in detail with examples and visuals. Give students the opportunity to practice after each step of instruction to reinforce what they have learned.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make with Hand Rankings
One common mistake is confusing similar combinations, such as between Full House and Flush. Beginners also often underestimate the strength of their hands or overestimate them, leading to unwise bets. Another common mistake is failing to quickly determine the strength of a hand, which slows the game down and can lead to missed opportunities. To avoid these mistakes, it is important to pay attention to learning each combination in detail and to practice regularly.
Practical Exercises for Learning Hand Rankings
Interactive exercises are good for reinforcing the knowledge of hand rankings. One such exercise might be to deal random cards and determine the strength of the resulting combination. Memorization games where players compete to quickly identify hand ranks are also useful. The use of online simulators and mobile poker training apps can also help to ensure effective learning.
Using Hand Charts During Practice Games
Hand charts can be quickly referenced during practice games. These cards can be used to test your knowledge with quick quizzes or hand strength games. The use of the cards can be gradually reduced as the material is mastered.
Simulated Scenarios for Real-Game Application
Simulated situations that are close to real-game conditions help beginners to apply their knowledge in practice. For example, you can offer scenarios where players have to choose a winning hand from several options. This develops quick analysis and decision-making skills and helps to better understand the dynamics of the game and the interaction of different hand combinations.
Conclusion: Building Confidence Through Clear Teaching
Explaining the ranks in a simple and accessible way is the foundation in building confidence in poker for beginners. It is learning the basics that allows players to focus on the strategic aspects of the game, develop their skills and enjoy the process. A clear teaching structure, supported by practice and visuals, makes the process of mastering poker easier and more enjoyable.
FAQs
What’s the best way to teach hand rankings to beginners?
Start with basic hands, use visual aids, and practice with simple scenarios.
How long does it take to learn poker hand rankings?
Most beginners can understand rankings in a few lessons with consistent practice.
What are the easiest poker hands to explain?
High Card and Pairs are the simplest hands to start with when teaching new players.
What tools can help beginners learn hand rankings?
Hand charts, flashcards, and interactive tutorials are effective learning aids.
How can beginners avoid common mistakes with hand rankings?
Practice frequently, focus on differentiating similar hands, and seek feedback during play.
Cafuné – the duo of Noah Yoo and Sedona Schat – have announced their new album, Bite Reality. The follow-up to 2022’s Running is set to arrive on September 12 via SoundOn. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the new single ‘e-Asphyxiation‘, which is a breezy slice of alt-pop despite its weighty subject matter. Check out its Akram Shah-directed video below.
“Every time you doom-scroll, you’re letting your phone choke you out,” the band shared in a press release. “Wake up, check the feed, feel bad about yourself – rinse and repeat. Even the ‘good stuff’ on the Internet doesn’t feel fun or sustainable anymore. The world has never seemed more connected and further apart at the same time, stuck in a cycle of ‘e-Asphyxiation.’ Why do I have to prove that I am alive online?”
If the last time you engaged with Matt Berninger’s songwriting was through the most recent National albums, Get Sunk’s backstory and overarching mood will sound familiar. In 2020, the frontman struggled with a long period of writer’s block and depression that informed 2023’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein and its surprise companion, Laugh Track. But while Berninger’s second solo album, the follow-up to his gorgeously refined 2020 debut Serpentine Prison, emerged from a similar headspace, the sinking here happens deeper in his subconscious, words slipping out of the blurry space of memory, sleepiness, or a complete breakdown. Working with producer Sean O’Brien and a cast of musicians including Booker T Jones, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), and Julia Laws (Ronboy), he keeps himself right on the edge. The results are more dynamic and less carefully gracious than Serpentine Prison, which makes it a sea worth diving into, even if you know, more or less, exactly what you’re gonna get. You can stare at one thing forever – it’s nothing till you feel it rush through your bones.
1. Inland Ocean
Emotionless and serene, ‘Inland Ocean’ manages to feel like the perfect opening, a blank canvas lit up by its surroundings. Berninger begs for an embrace, if only the kind that feels like drowning deeper: “Wrap me up and bury me.” Softened by backing vocals from Julia Laws (aka Ronboy) and echo-drenched instrumentation, he eventually undresses his grief from metaphor: “Everything ends before I want it to/ I needed more time alone with you.” Ripples of organ, harmonica, and keyboard attempt to make something out of nothing, Sterling Laws’ drums almost splashing through the surface.
2. No Love
In a creative drought, a single piano chord can be enough to dredge up real feeling – “a sinking,” in this case. As Nick Lloyd keeps it ringing, Berninger confesses, “The music’s so unromantic,” steering clear of possessive implications before adding, “Our eyeballs are red and dry/ It doesn’t have anything to do with anything/ The vibes aren’t right.” When “No one can tell what the difference is/ Between spine and fame,” you can’t only blame yourself for burrowing inward.
3. Bonnet of Pins
‘Bonnet of Pins’ is a hell of a lead single, but it also makes Get Sunk come alive: the arrangement is instantly more dynamic, Berninger’s lyrics armed with detail, his performance emotionally heightened while leaving room for the live rendition. The subject is an encounter with an old flame, and you can feel his eyes burning through his voice, whether he’s observing (“She sidewinders through the room to me/ With a real cigarette and a Styrofoam coffee”) or accusing (“The closest thing she’s ever found to love/ Is the kind you can’t get rid of fast enough”). “This stuff takes a lifetime,” he offers, and this kind of song can stay with you just the same.
4. Frozen Oranges
Hungry for focus, Berninger finds refuge in the Indiana of his childhood: “I could concentrate in a place like this.” Instead he finds himself drifting off into memory, with Kyle Resnick’s trumpet helping to shape its surreal nature. The sense of innocence, however illusory, clears the spit of the last two songs.
5. Breaking Into Acting feat. Hand Habits
On the surface, ‘Breaking Into Acting’ is built out of another accusation: your emotion – forgiveness, per Berninger’s press statement, though it’s not clear or relevant in the song – is feigned. But the heart of it, made palpable by Hand Habits’ tender guest vocals, is empathetic. “I completely understand,” they sing, recognizing the truth in, or succeeding, the performance. He’s too well-versed in its language not to.
6. Nowhere Special
Berninger’s baritone slides down feverishly: “I’ll slur my city words into the mind grinder microphone/ My skull isn’t soft anymore, it has cracks in it like a floor,” he intones. It’s less drunken confession than its poetic unraveling, one layer behind actual speech, slipping and lurching off rhythm and towards some kind of understanding – glimpsed in lines like “I want to believe in this one little fantasy” and “You know what? I love you.” You might call it stream-of-consciousness. For him, it’s “non-thinking thinking,” the kind that runs through your bloodstream.
7. Little by Little
In a smart trick of sequencing, the narrator seems to address the character on the previous song, a parental figure: “Can’t tell what they’re saying, always pacing always praying.” It frames the grief of the song as intergenerational, following the titular phrase with lines like “you don’t come around“ and “turn into dust and dreams.” It doesn’t pack the same punch as Berninger’s best, but it gets the point across. Little by little, you learn to let go.
8. Junk
Co-written with The Walkmen’s Paul Maroon, ‘Junk’ marries self-deprecation with romantic surrender, with Berninger’s delivery and the slightly whimsical arrangement carrying just the right amount of lightness. “I’m only junk,” he sings, somehow, as an invitation, half-rhyming it with love – and only half-joking.
9. Silver Jeep
It feels like much of the album has been striking for this moment of concentrated writing; as effective as Berninger’s dreamier, hazier songs can be, we’re now several tracks away from the clarity of ‘Bonnet of Pins’ and ‘Breaking Into Acting’, and ‘Silver Jeep’ is ambiguous yet narratively intriguing. It gives Ronboy, a lingering presence in the background of Get Sunk, a much-deserved moment in the spotlight as the woman “out there somewhere in a silver Jeep,” and she packs so much in those few words she sings out on her own: “I only want you to rattle my bones and run.” It leaves you wanting a bigger chunk of the story, but it’s all in the rearview; or worse still, a mirage.
10. Times of Difficulty
If you’re anything like me, you never want to hear the phrase “these difficult times” again. Worse still, strange. But ‘Times of Difficulty’ is a song I wouldn’t mind hearing several more times, not least because it’s ultimately less isolating than instructive, by way of group vocals: “Get drunk! Get sunk! Forget! Get wet!” There is no these because Berninger understands our confinement as a perpetual cycle, not a temporary blip. That works well for his metaphors. “I’ll think of you if you think of me,” he sings, “The way the sky thinks of the sea .” That how might still be a mystery, but it gives you an idea of how long – more than a lifetime, even. Which is certainly not unromantic.
The choice of payment method for online gambling can make a big difference to the user experience. Among the many options available, e-wallets and open banking have become top contenders, each with its pros and cons. This article will break down both options to help you make an informed decision.
E-Wallets: The Digital Middleman
An e-wallet, or digital wallet as they are frequently called, is a middleman between your bank account and online gambling sites. You top up your e-wallet using debit cards or bank transfers, and the available funds can be directly used in online casinos.
The e-wallet stores your payment details safely and allows for quick transactions without having to share your bank details with the gambling site. This makes them safer than using your card details directly. It can also be a good measure to control your gambling since it’s a separate account from your bank account.
There are many options to choose from. You can find a list of ewallet casinos here and find one that suits you. Most online casinos will have several ewallets to choose from, some more popular than others.
Top E-Wallets in Gambling:
PayPal: Perhaps the most famous and widespread ewallet, but less suitable for gambling. It’s only available in UK casinos.
Skrill: Favored for its rapid transaction speeds and user-friendly interface.
Neteller: High transfer limits and loyalty program. Good for high rollers.
MuchBetter: Mobile-focused and low fees. Made with the intent of being used in iGaming.
MiFinity: Offers low-cost international transfers and gambling transactions. However, it is a bit less widespread in online gambling sites.
Payz (formerly ecoPayz): Offers multi-currency support and has a long-standing presence in iGaming.
Most ewallets have similar functions, but it’s always recommended to compare your options to find the best one for your needs. For example, some options are limited to specific regions, offer debit card options, and allow you to exchange currencies.
Pros:
Speed: Deposits and withdrawals are instant.
Security: Encryption, two-factor authentication and other security measures are taken.
Privacy: Your bank statements don’t show gambling transactions, just transactions to the ewallet.
Mobile access: Most ewallets are controlled via an app that gives you real-time notifications of all transactions.
Cons:
Fees: Some ewallets charge for transactions or currency conversion.
Promotion Exclusions: Some gambling sites exclude ewallet users from bonuses or promotions. More common with Skrill and Neteller than other ewallets.
Verification: Initial setup may require ID verification, so you may face a slight delay the first time using it.
Open Banking: Direct and Transparent
Open banking allows third-party financial service providers to access your banking data, with your consent and verification, to initiate payments directly from your bank account. Compared to regular bank transfers, transactions are instantly processed, so you don’t need to wait the standard 3-5 working days.
This method eliminates intermediaries. Instead, it offers a streamlined transaction process without extra cost or a new set of logins required. It utilizes your online banking credentials and is just as secure as your bank.
Top Open Banking Providers for Gambling:
Trustly: Facilitates instant bank transfers without the need for cards or apps. This is the most popular and common option for gambling.
Volt: Specializes in real-time payments across global markets, with a strong presence in the European gambling sector. It’s a bit less common than Trustly but is gaining traction.
There are fewer globally available open banking solutions since many are restricted to one country. Interac is one such option available in Canada, enabling direct transfers from Canadian bank accounts to online casinos. Similar options exist in other countries.
Pros:
Efficiency: Direct bank transfers reduce transaction times and potential errors. Transactions, both deposits and withdrawals, are instant.
Cost-Effective: Often lower or no fees due to the elimination of intermediaries.
Transparency: Real-time access to bank data can aid in responsible gambling practices.
High security: While it initially may seem unsafe to use your banking credentials, it’s through a safe gateway. Your personal details are fully encrypted for the casino.
Cons:
Bank Restrictions: Not all banks support gambling transactions.
Limited Availability: Some options may be more regionally bound and are not available everywhere.
No separate account: Unless you actively create a second bank account intended for gambling, your funds are not separate from your regular spending.
National Gambling Restrictions
One of the biggest challenges with open banking in gambling is the different national regulations. In some countries, banks can block gambling transactions even if the gambling is legal. Two such countries are Norway and Finland, where open banking is not an option.
Many banks also offer customers the option to block gambling transactions as a self-exclusion measure. This means even if a user has consented to an open banking transaction for gambling, the bank will still decline it. Some e-wallets have similar features implemented, but they are less common.
Comparative Analysis: E-Wallets vs. Open Banking
Feature
E-Wallets
Open Banking
Transaction Speed
Typically instant
Instant or near-instant
Fees
Varies; some charge per transaction
Generally no fees
Privacy
High; bank details not shared
Moderate; direct bank access
Availability
Widely accepted
Growing but not universal
Bank Restrictions
Less affected
Subject to national and bank policies
Which Option is Better?
The choice between e-wallets and open banking largely depends on individual preferences and circumstances.
Opt for E-Wallets if: You prioritize privacy, wish to avoid potential bank restrictions, and value widespread acceptance across gambling platforms.
Choose Open Banking if: You seek direct transactions with potentially lower fees and are confident that your bank supports such operations for gambling activities.
As the online gambling industry evolves, both payment methods will see improvements in security, speed and user experience. They are constantly evolving. Stay informed on the latest trends, and you’ll be able to make the best choices for yourself.
In the shifting landscape of contemporary craft, one question echoes with increasing urgency: how do traditional methods remain alive without becoming frozen in time? Can the language of handcraft still speak—relevantly, poetically—within a hyper-digital, fast-paced material world?
These questions lie at the heart of the practice of London-based metalsmith and jewellery artist Youyang Zhao. His two most recent bodies of work, exhibited as part of Unanchored Crafting during London Craft Week 2025 at Alsolike Gallery, offer nuanced responses. The Lacquered Metal Vessel Series and the Sake Set Series are not simply aesthetically refined objects; they represent a sustained inquiry into the limits and possibilities of craft, the tension between permanence and transformation, and the interplay between tradition and reinterpretation.
A Craft Rooted in Hammering
Zhao’s background in metalsmithing and jewellery design began in Taiwan, where he studied at Fu Jen Catholic University, before continuing his education at the Royal College of Art in London. His practice centres on hammering—not only as a technique for shaping metal, but as a mode of sensory engagement. Over time, he has cultivated an intimate understanding of how metal responds to impact, developing a sensitivity to its resistance, flexibility, and subtle transformations.
His vessels are conceived as miniature sculptures. Rather than pursuing symmetry or industrial regularity, he embraces asymmetry, ambiguity, and organic imperfection. Each curve and contour reflects a pursuit of harmony within imbalance. This approach allows his work to preserve the tactility of handcraft—retaining surface textures, minor inconsistencies, and deliberate flaws that invite closer attention and reveal a layered, living aesthetic.
Zhao’s particular sensitivity to materials is further informed by his deep commitment to traditional silversmithing techniques. Each vessel undergoes an intensive process of shaping, refining, and detailing—from raising and forming to the final patination. This physical engagement with the material becomes a meditative act, through which knowledge is not only applied but continuously rediscovered.
Reimagining Lacquer Through Metal
The Lacquered Metal Vessel Series challenges conventional associations between lacquer and its traditional substrates such as wood or bamboo. In this body of work, Zhao applies the Japanese hen-nuri (変塗) technique—typically used to achieve translucent layering—to hammered copper vessels. The lacquered areas appear rich and luminous, while the exposed copper surfaces are chemically patinated, producing dynamic colour variations that shift with time and temperature.
This juxtaposition between the enduring quality of lacquer and the evolving nature of copper creates a temporal duality. The process highlights a dialogue between stability and change, with each vessel embodying two timelines within a single form. Rather than concealing the raw texture of the metal, the lacquer accentuates it, allowing each layer to become part of a broader narrative of endurance, refinement, and material contradiction.
The series exemplifies Zhao’s exploration of how culturally and functionally bound materials can be re-contextualised without losing their historical depth. Through this merging of techniques, the works evoke new meanings that reach beyond the decorative, proposing lacquer as a resilient medium of contemporary expression.
Moreover, the works draw attention to the act of preservation in craft: while the lacquer seals and stabilises the surface, the copper’s patina remains active and responsive to environmental conditions. This co-presence of control and unpredictability allows each vessel to become a site of material negotiation, one in which durability and change are in constant dialogue.
Reconnecting Hand and Function
The Sake Set Series approaches a different line of inquiry—one rooted in the relationship between object and user. Drawing from the sensorial rituals of Japanese sake culture, these vessels are designed to engage both the eye and the hand. They are formed from silver and copper sheets, soldered and meticulously hammered to fit the natural curvature of the hand.
Sake Set exhibited at London Craft Week
Flame patination lends the copper surfaces a vibrant spectrum of colour, ranging from warm oranges to deep purples, while the silver introduces a visual and tactile contrast. Every curve is refined through countless hammer strikes, resulting in minimalist forms that prioritise both comfort and clarity. The simplicity of the silhouettes belies the complexity of their making; each vessel is crafted to deliver not only functionality but a subtle, embodied experience.
The vessels are designed not only for use but for ritual. Their scale and proportion reflect an awareness of how physical gestures shape emotional presence. A cup that fits gently in the palm becomes an invitation to pause, to savour, to connect.
Continuing from Zhao’s earlier investigations into mixed-metal vessels at the Royal College of Art, the Sake Set Series demonstrates a seamless balance between utility and refinement. Its nomination for the 2024 ITAMI International Craft Exhibition affirms the resonance of this work within an international dialogue on contemporary craft.
Between Object and Experience
Across both series, Zhao presents the vessel as more than a utilitarian form—it becomes a container of time, process, and sensory memory. His objects operate in the space between sculpture and function, offering tactile encounters that invite contemplation. The surface tensions between polished and rough, rigid and curved, internal and external—these contradictions are not resolved, but held together, forming complex, layered presences.
Rather than updating traditional techniques for the sake of novelty, Zhao constructs forms that carry multiple material histories. His works do not collapse cultural or temporal differences but allow them to coexist—unstable, open-ended, and quietly potent.
This approach positions Zhao’s work within a broader rethinking of craft: as a space for inquiry rather than resolution, as a process rather than a product. In an era increasingly dominated by immediacy and spectacle, these vessels offer an alternative pace—slow, precise, and grounded in tactile wisdom.
Zhao’s contribution to Unanchored Crafting aligns closely with the exhibition’s curatorial vision, which foregrounds cultural dislocation and material experimentation in craft. His works engage in this dialogue not through spectacle, but through subtlety—through care, labour, and unresolved questions.
Positioned between disciplines and categories, Zhao’s vessels resist easy definition. They are objects that question their own making, their own function, and their own boundaries. In doing so, they offer an alternative pace—inviting viewers to slow down, to feel, to reflect.
These are not declarative objects. They are quiet invitations: to hold time in the hand, to sense transformation through surface, and to imagine tradition not as a fixed reference, but as a material still capable of change.
New York City’s exhibitive tattoo scene is a melting pot of styles and talents, but few artists have embarked on a journey as unique or achieved recognition as rapidly as Sumok Kim. Originally a South Korean children’s book salesman, Kim transformed a burgeoning interest in drawing into a mastery of realist tattooing, now leaving a distinguished mark on clients and conventions alike from his NYC base.
Kim’s path into the world of ink began unexpectedly in 2015. Working at a publishing company, interactions with illustrators sparked a passion for art fundamentally different from his day job. Rather than pursuing traditional artistic education, Kim took a self-taught route, leveraging online resources and learning from fellow artists – a testament to his dedication and inherent talent. This foundation quickly evolved into a specialization in realist tattooing, particularly in striking black and grey.
What defines Kim’s work is his exceptional eye for detail, creating photorealistic pieces that possess a timeless quality. His early focus on the natural environment and animal portraits allowed him to hone his skills in rendering intricate textures and depth. While these remain integral, Kim is now exploring Eastern-themed subjects, weaving cultural narratives into his art. This evolution underscores his philosophy, as he shared in an interview: “I appreciate that there is no limit to improvement in tattooing; there is always something new to learn.”
Kim’s technical expertise and artistic scope have not gone unnoticed. He is a celebrated winner on the competitive tattoo convention circuit, recently dominating categories at the NY Empire State Tattoo Expo and the Vancouver Tattoo Show with multiple first and second-place awards for large realism and black and grey work, including “Best of Show” in Vancouver 2024. His standing is further cemented by accolades such as being named among the top 10 tattoo artists in New York City by Ink On Sky for 2025
Having worked globally in significant tattoo hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Seoul before settling in New York, Kim offers insights into cultural differences within the craft. He notes a distinction between a focus on aesthetic coolness in Korea and a greater emphasis on meaning and storytelling in the West – a perspective he seems to embrace as he delves into subject matter rich with symbolism, such as Eastern mythology and the powerful imagery of Samurai.
Now as an ambassador for Mast Tattoo Needles’ Pro Team and with a significant online following exceeding 60,000 on Instagram, Sumok Kim is not resting on his laurels. His plans for 2025 involve traveling across the US to attend more conventions, sharing his award-winning work and continuing in his relentless pursuit of artistic growth. From an unconventional start, Sumok Kim has undoubtedly become a key figure in the contemporary realist tattoo landscape, proving that passion, dedication, and a commitment to lifelong learning that can redefine the boundaries of art on skin.
From Wrocław to New York City, Polish-born designer Paulina Raczkowska has forged a remarkable global path, one deeply rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and an unwavering commitment to social impact. Her journey, which began with a solid foundation in interior and stage design at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw, Poland, continued with further studies in Valencia, Spain, is a testament to her dedication to both artistic excellence and profound human connection.
Following her formal education, Raczkowska relocated to Berlin, Germany, where she honed her creative direction and branding expertise through roles at prominent companies like Viacom, Rocket Internet, SinnerShrader (now Accenture), and Highsnobiety. She also collaborated with major brands such as Henkel, Signal Iduna, CoteetCiel, Beets & Roots, and Match Group. These formative experiences sharpened her visual language and honed her storytelling skills through the medium of design.
Her design philosophy is centered around people: “I design with people in mind, always asking: Who is this for? Whose story is being told? And how can design truly serve them?” she asks. “That level of empathy and intention is something I strive to bring into every project.”
It was her decision to live and work across the globe, in Mexico, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic, that truly transformed her perspective and redefined her approach to design. Immersed in vastly different cultures for nearly eight years, she witnessed the kaleidoscope of human experiences and the persistent inequalities that divide our world.
This is what makes her stand out as a designer. “What makes my work unique is the fact that I’ve lived and worked in a wide range of places; from Wrocław to Berlin, from Nairobi to Santo Domingo, and now New York,” said Raczkowska. “Each of these places has shaped not only how I design, but why I design. This exposure to different cultures, aesthetics, and ways of thinking has given me a global design practice rooted in cultural fluency and social consciousness.”
Some major career highlights include working for global brands which require big picture thinking. “Early in my career, working with global brands like Viacom, Henkel, Signal Iduna, Match.com, and Highsnobiety taught me how to build clear, scalable design systems within large teams and commercial frameworks,” said Raczkowska. “It was a great training ground for creative leadership and understanding the business side of design.”
These experiences, which have spanned across five continents, have equipped her with the unique ability to design with context, compassion, and a truly global consciousness. Raczkowska’s work increasingly gravitated towards issues of women’s health, safety, and empowerment, a passion that solidified when she moved to New York City.
“Design is a visual language, and language, at its core, is a tool for connection,” said Raczkowska. “Thoughtful design can bridge cultures, reduce barriers, and create shared understanding. I’ve seen firsthand how design can give voice to marginalized stories, simplify complex ideas, and build spaces, physical or digital, that invite people in. In our globalized world, design that is well done and done with intention helps us communicate across differences with clarity and compassion.”
“My style also carries a multicultural lens, influenced by the textures, traditions, and visual languages I’ve encountered while living and working across the world,” said Raczkowska. “It’s a design approach that’s clean and useful, but still emotionally resonant and culturally aware.”
In New York City, Raczkowska found her niche at Ahoy Studios, a women-founded design agency specializing in branding and creative development for non-profit organizations and mission-driven enterprises. Ahoy’s work spans a wide range of global causes, including environmental protection, social justice, peace and security, gender equity, education, and cultural exchange.
At Ahoy, Raczkowska discovered the ideal environment to seamlessly blend her global insights with purpose-driven design, contributing to campaigns and identities that support meaningful change on both local and international scales.
She emphasizes the impact of her current work: “The most meaningful highlight has been my work at Ahoy Studio in New York, where I design purpose-driven campaigns for nonprofits,” said Raczkowska. “The studio’s small size allows for more creative ownership and impact, and I find it far more rewarding to use design as a tool for change — supporting causes like gender equity, climate action, and community empowerment.”
Simultaneously, she began collaborating with Dames New York, a women’s fashion brand based in New York that focuses on mental health, safety, and empowerment. Through photography and creative direction, Raczkowska helped the brand cultivate a visual identity that empowers women to feel safe, beautiful, and strong while wearing Dames New York.
The brand fosters a supportive community through events like meditation sessions and self-defense classes – reinforcing the powerful idea that design can be a vehicle for healing and empowerment. Remarkably, Raczkowska’s collaboration with Dames is built entirely on a volunteer-driven, skill-sharing model; a collective endeavor where creativity and knowledge are exchanged freely, without any financial transactions, fostering a deeply collaborative and purpose-led process.
Looking ahead, Raczkowska is planning to co-found a creative production studio with fashion designer Katlyn O’Malley and a collective of international creatives from cities like Warsaw, Berlin, and the Dominican Republic. This exciting initiative will focus on producing socially responsible content, spotlighting sustainability, women’s rights, and equity within the fashion and media industries. The collective aims to challenge industry norms by embedding respect, inclusivity, and ethical practices into every project.
With a career that spans continents and encompasses a multitude of worthy causes, Paulina Raczkowska continues to demonstrate that design can be a powerful tool for cultural dialogue, social transformation, and global solidarity. Her work is not only visually striking and aesthetically pleasing but also deeply informed by lived experience, guided by core human values, and driven by a clear and unwavering mission: to make the world a more beautiful, equitable, and safe place for everyone.
Raczkowska emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances: “Over time, I’ve learned that what resonates visually in one part of the world might feel completely abstract or disconnected in another. A design approach that feels natural in a New York studio might not translate at all in Nairobi — and even between the U.S. and Europe, there are subtle but important differences. Being aware of those nuances helps me create work that is contextually grounded and respectful of its audience.”
She acknowledges the responsibility that comes with visual storytelling: “I’m also deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with visual storytelling. I actively work to avoid stereotypes, especially those embedded in Western perspectives, particularly when it comes to representing places like Africa.
For example, too often, NGOs and media focus solely on narratives of poverty, overlooking the complexity, beauty, and pride within African cultures. “When we rely too heavily on standard visual frameworks, we risk flattening diverse experiences and seeing the world only through our own lens,” said Raczkowska. “My goal is to design in a way that resists that, to celebrate difference, challenge assumptions, and make space for authenticity.”
Raczkowska defines her design aesthetic with three different principles. “My aesthetic is defined by clarity, restraint, and purpose,” she said. “I approach design as a form of communication, not decoration, so I always prioritize function over form. Every element I use has a reason to be there. The result is a minimal, intuitive style where bold typography meets human-centered visuals, and where the message is never lost in the medium.”
She adds: “Even though my work is visually pared down, it’s rooted in narrative. There’s always a story underneath which is shaped by the audience, the context, and the message I want to convey.“
While Raczkowska started out in interior design and stage design, it clearly prepared her for a career in visual design. “Studying interior and stage design gave me an early understanding of how humans interact with space, light, and atmosphere; how the environment shapes emotion,” said Raczkowska. “Stage design taught me storytelling through physical form; interior design taught me functionality and flow. That background sharpened my spatial thinking and made me deeply attuned to the emotional side of design. It also gave me a natural foundation for branding and creative direction — where the goal is often to create an entire world or identity around an idea.”
Raczkowska’s unwavering dedication to socially responsible design serves as an inspiring example of how creativity, when coupled with empathy and a global perspective, can become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Her work not only connects people but also empowers them, amplifying voices and fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Having recently signed to Ghostly International, TOPS – Jane Penny, David Carriere, Marta Cikojevic, and Riley Fleck – have announced their next album, Bury the Key. The follow-up to 2020’s I Feel Alive arrives on August 22. It includes the previously released single ‘ICU2’, as well as a new song, the infectious and nostalgic ‘Chlorine’. Check it out below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.
“At one point, I was caught in a cycle of going out to the bar hoping that I would cross paths with a certain person who was not good for me but who I felt irresistibly drawn to,” Penny said of ‘Chlorine’ in a press release. ” I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where it’s very cold, and I used to go to the pool a lot in the winter. It’s also where I first started going to bars to drink with my friends. I was thinking about alcohol and chlorine both being poison, thinking about all the people that I’ve tried to be close to that have ended up being bad for me, how I still love them all, and I wrote the song ‘Chlorine’.”
Penny described the new album as “evil TOPS,” adding, “We’re always kind of seen as a soft band or like naive or friendly in a Canadian way, but we made it a challenge to really channel the world around us.”
Bury the Key Cover Artwork:
Bury the Key Tracklist:
1. Stars Come After You
2. Wheels at Night
3. ICU2
4. Outstanding in the Rain
5. Annihilation
6. Falling on my Sword
7. Call You Back
8. Chlorine
9. Mean Streak
10. Your Ride
11. Standing at the Edge of Fire
12. Paper House
