Collecting the Past: Mid-Century Design Treasures

For me, the act of collecting is all about connections and connecting with particular moments in time. The Festival of Britain (FOB) in 1951 was a significant event that promoted a sense of optimism based on a proposition that innovative industrial design practices were key to building a better world, or at the very least

Ernest Race: The British influence on Australian Design.

Ernest Race 1913 – 1964. The furniture designed by Ernest Race was a dominant feature at the Festival of Britain’s Southbank site on the Thames. Race, an innovative designer, formed Ernest Race Ltd with engineer Noel Jordan in 1945. Located in Clapham, the small company set about the challenge of producing furniture designs in a

The Importance of Design Research.

Side Table, designed by Clement Meadmore, 1954. There has been a lot of talk about the value of research and arguably some confusion about what is involved when it comes to researching Australian Mid-Century designers. With this is mind, I thought it might be useful to highlight the importance of design research, by using an

Kenneth McDonald: A Tale of Two Chairs.

The architect Kenneth McDonald is an interesting character from the mid-century period. During the early 1950’s, McDonald operated an architectural practice from 86 Collins St, Melbourne. The address is important for a number of reasons, as it was also the home of the architectural magazine ‘Architecture and Arts’, and a small furniture business called Meadmore

Clement Meadmore and the Art Of Mid-Century Design

At Australian Modern we are truly passionate about Australian Mid-Century Design, so it may not come as a surprise when we tell you that we have been working on a very special design project. What is this project you may well ask? It’s the first major survey of Clement Meadmore’s industrial design practice from 1951-1963.

The Other Moderns: Sydney’s Forgotten European Design Legacy

I recently got a copy of the brilliant new book ‘The Other Moderns: Sydney’s forgotten European Design Legacy’. Edited by curator Rebecca Hawcroft, the book features a collection of expertly researched, and beautifully written essays that highlight the contributions of European designers and artists who came to Australia before or after World War ll.  The

Update: Keep up the good work. Save Lind House from demolition

Hi All, Mid-Century enthusiasts from across the country are getting behind the national campaign to save Anatol Kagan’s masterpiece ‘Lind House’ from demolition. Thousands of everyday people like you and I are frustrated and disappointed with the lack of protection afforded Lind House, and many of us think it’s time that councils, like the Glen

Iconic Anatol Kagan home faces demolition. Can you help save it?

The ‘Lind House’, 450 Dandenong Rd, North Caulfield, designed by Anatol Kagan. It seems strange that Robin Boyd’s book The Australian Ugliness should have such relevance more than 50 years after its publication, but here we are again dealing with the same issues. In an era where ugly has arguably become an industry fuelled by

Simply the Best: The Colourful Life of Marion Hall Best

The Museum of Sydney have recently confirmed the dates for an upcoming exhibition (Aug 5- Nov 12) about Sydneysider and style guru Marion Hall Best.  Marion Hall Best (1905-1988) was a champion of Australian and International mid-century design. Best’s two Sydney store’s Queen St, Woollahra ( 1939-1974) and Rowe St, Sydney (1949-1961) were destinations for those who sought

The Story of Curl: A Clement Meadmore Sculpture

Clement Meadmore is perhaps the most famous sculptor to originate from Australia, his twisting metal forms can be found in galleries and parks around the world. Starting out as an industrial designer in Melbourne during the early 1950s, Meadmore produced a small range of furniture and lighting that was clearly inspired by his passion for