Designs on world market
The fresh, eclectic approach of seven leading Queensland designers has charmed the design elite in two of the world’s most discerning markets – Milan and New York.
At Milan’s Design Week, a celebration of design that rivals the city’s fashion week for prestige and glamour, Brisbane designer and architect Brian Steendyk (pictured) had his cero chair unveiled to international media and buyers by Italian firm Serralunga.
For Mr Steendyk, the moment in April this year represented the culmination of a half decade of foot-slog and perseverance. The cero chair, already well known to Queensland’s design conscious, is now available throughout Europe.
‘The deal with Serralunga means that what we are doing in Australia is as good as anywhere else in the world and now that we have proven our expertise overseas, the Australian market will undoubtedly embrace our designs,’ Mr Steendyk said.
Mr Steendyk was one of five Queenslanders featured in Freestyle: New Australian Design for Living, an exhibition of 40 top Australian designers on show from May to June at Milan’s prestigious Triennale Design Museum.
Jeweller Ari Athans, designer Alexander Lotersztain and fashion icons Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson, of Easton Pearson, were also selected to take part in the exhibition, which was supported with a $20,000 Arts Queensland grant.
Response to the exhibition in Milan has been overwhelmingly positive, generating international interest in the uniquely innovative approach of Australian designers and their response to the challenges of a sustainable lifestyle.
The exhibition looks likely to tour to New York and the United States in 2009.
Queensland designers are at the forefront of the nation’s growing design consciousness. While still in its relative infancy, the design sector is heavily influencing Queensland lifestyles.
Local designers are encouraging a more harmonious relationship with our tropical and sub-tropical environment and minimising the negative impacts of urban growth on climate and landscape.
Mr Steendyk feels the natural beauty, thirst for new ideas and entrepreneurial nature of Queensland provides the perfect backdrop for creating the innovative, sustainable designs for which the State is becoming known.
‘There is an optimism associated with being in Queensland. Our tendency is to be far more open to new ideas in design as opposed to the historic traditions of Europe and the conservative consumerism of America,’ Mr Steendyk said.
‘We have a fresh outlook, as well as a personality that comes through strongly in our product.’
A favourite example of innovative Queensland design is Marc Harrison’s Husque bowls. Created from macadamia nut husks, these stunning bowls are now among a handful of Australian design products on sale at the prestigious New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
‘MoMA is the most prestigious position for designer objects in America,’ Mr Harrison said.
‘Since we got this news, we’ve received orders from Tokyo and also interest from high-end competitors to MoMA in New York.’
The Queensland Government is a strong advocate of the design sector, allocating $3 million in the recent budget to Designing Queensland, a program to raise the profile of the State’s design industries by branding Queensland as the centre of Asia-Pacific design.
Designing Queensland also includes $1.5 million toward a major triennial design event focusing on the Asia-Pacific region commencing in 2009; a boost in State Government funding for the Smart State Designer of the Year award, from $10,000 to $50,000; an amount of $80,000 over four years toward Brisbane Indesign; and a scholarship for teachers to study at the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
The program builds on Arts Queensland’s existing commitments, including the development of a Queensland Design Strategy, analysis around a potential Queensland Design Centre and sponsorship of the Memento awards.
www.steendyk.com (non-government site)
Story: Jill Martin.
Last reviewed 15 December 2008
