Curated by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation, Melbourne Design Fair 2023 is on display at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) until Sunday 21 May 2023.
The centrepiece of Melbourne Design Week, Melbourne Design Fair is Australia’s largest presentation of contemporary and twentieth century collectible design by leading Australian and international practitioners.
This year Melbourne Design Fair features the work of more than 150 designers across 60+ presentations staged by prominent commercial galleries, design agencies, organisations and studios, and offers visitors the chance to view and purchase one-of-a-kind, limited edition and small batch design production, including furniture, lighting and contemporary jewellery.
Melbourne Design Fair has representation from all Australian states and territories, with highlights including Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert from New South Wales, artisan QLD, South Australia’s JamFactory, Canberra Glassworks, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists from the Northern Territory presented by Agency, and Design Tasmania.
Presenting a diverse collection of leading design from Australia and the world, feature group presentations include Agency, ALM, Australian Tapestry Workshop, Craft Victoria, C. Gallery, Leonard Joel, MARS Gallery, Modern Times, OIGALL PROJECTS, Origine, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Stanley Street Gallery, Broached Commissions, and Sullivan+Strumpf.
Showcasing significant emerging and established designers, the Fair welcomes solo shows including international luminary Gaetano Pesce with Neon Parc, alongside leading names including Alexander Lotersztain, Elliot Bastianon, Christopher Boots, Snelling Studio from New Zealand, Dowel Jones, James Howe, Lost Profile Studio, Peter Cooley with Martin Browne Contemporary, Marta Figueiredo, and Ross Gardam.
New in 2023 and recognising the dynamic field of contemporary jewellery, the Fair includes presentations from industry influencers Funaki, Maker and Smith, Australian Design Centre and Pieces of Eight.
Presented across 3,000 square metres at the MCEC, Melbourne Design Fair offers visitors the opportunity to discover new talent, explore innovative design production, and gain insight into the latest trends in the world of collectible design.
Debuting at the fair is an NGV-curated exhibition, FOCUS, which brings attention to the work of five accomplished Australian female designers and makers; Emma Jackson, Nicolette Johnson, Paula Savage, Jessica Murtagh and Helen Britton. Foregrounding their skills and conceptual prowess, the works on display shine a light on the important contributions these practitioners are making to Australian design.
Curated by NGV’s Simone LeAmon, The Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, the exhibition recognises the importance of inspiring future generations of women in design and promoting diversity within the industry.
A further highlight is the NGV curated section, titled DISCOVERY, dedicated to the promotion and sale of work by emerging designers and makers. DISCOVERY offers collectors, industry and the design-loving public the opportunity to discover and purchase work from a new wave of designers including: Alfred Lowe, Annie Paxton, Charlie White, Dalton Stewart, Isaac Chatterton, Julian Leigh May, LLh Studio, Nicole Lawrence, Sabu Studio, Sedni, Two Lines Studio, UnitePlayPerform, and the next generation of talent from the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists.
Leading designers and makers, gallerists and collectors, and interior designers will feature in the TALKS series, presented by Major Partner Mercedes-Benz. Taking place from 19-21 May the diverse program offers visitors the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of the culture of collectible design while learning how to incorporate works into lived spaces.
Curated by the NGV, the TALKS series is structured across three streams – The Interior, The Collector, and The Work – and offers an exclusive look into the world of collectible design. In conversation with design journalists, educators and curators, TALKS guests include interior designers David Hicks, Fiona Lynch, Hamish Guthrie and Miriam Fanning, collectors Jeromie Maver and Ian Wong, and Numbulwar Numburindi artists Joy Wilfred, Janette Murrungun and Rose Wilfred.
“Melbourne Design Fair is a vital platform for the visibility and viability of Australia’s design industries,” said Tony Ellwood AM, Director of the NGV. “After the challenges of the past few years, events like this offer real, tangible support to our sector – and especially to local designers, makers and studios.”
“The NGV is proud to be partnering with the Melbourne Art Foundation on this important initiative and to share Australia’s design talent with an even greater audience,” said Mr Ellwood.
“Defined by the vibrancy of its host city, the annual Melbourne Design Fair demonstrates Melbourne’s commitment to the sector in what is the region’s most significant commercial platform for collectible design,” said Maree Di Pasquale, CEO of Melbourne Art Foundation.
“Appealing to the design lover and discerning collector alike, the Fair offers access to the most rare and limited-edition collectible design on Australian shores, curated by the National Gallery of Victoria,” she said.
Melbourne Design Fair takes place at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf from 18 – 21 May 2023. For more information, visit: www.designfair.melbourne for details.
Images: Paula Savage’s work on display in FOCUS at the 2023 Melbourne Design Fair – photo by Sean Fennessy | Installation view of Gaetano Pesce for Neon Parc at the 2023 Melbourne Design Fair – photo by Lillie Thompson