The Chair

Overview

It's a part of your everyday life, and a rarely exciting one at that. But the humble chair has been cast in a whole new light, now showing off its main character energy at a new thought-provoking group exhibition led by Craft Victoria.

On show at Craft Victoria's CBD gallery space from Saturday, September 10–Saturday, November 19, The Chair celebrates one of the world's most common pieces of furniture — while pushing its design concept into whole new realms.

Step inside to scope out 24 chairs created by 31 Aussie artists and designers, with innovative, experimental designs musing on the question of what a chair is and what it can be. Expect a vast array of shapes and forms, and more different materials than you can poke a chair leg at — from red gum and aluminium, to recycled plastic bags and old bike wheels.

You'll spy a shimmering deck chair made of zinc-plated steel by Nicole Lawrence and Thomas Coward; James Lemon's suspended swing number; and even an otherworldly creature crafted from Tasmanian wallaby pelt, plywood and copper, courtesy of Trent Jansen for Broached Monsters.

Bonhula Yunupingu and Damien Wright, 'Bonggawa'wu Nhana'nhamirri (Boss's Chair)', 2022. Represented by Gallery Sally Dan Cuthbert. Photo: Dan Hocking

Images: Installation shots by Annika Kafcaloudis