Mid-Century Modern: Australian Furniture Design is the first major survey and in-depth look at one of the most innovative and influential periods (1940s to 1970s) in Australian design. This exquisite volume includes lush photographs of more than 100 iconic pieces by key designers of the period, including Grant Featherston, Douglas Snelling, Fred Lowen and Clement Meadmore. Exposed to the technological developments and international design trends of the time, these Australian designers created unique, elegant and affordable modernist works. This volume features text on various aspects of mid-century Australian design by respected authors including academics, architects, collectors and designers. Kirsty Grant, curator of the exhibition, provides an overview of furniture design from the period, and Conrad Hamann contributes an in-depth text on mid-century architecture, the natural counterpart of furniture. Denise Whitehouse writes about Grant Featherston, while Peter Atkins considers the careers of Clement Meadmore and lesser known Michael Hirst. Additional texts approach mid-century Australian furniture design from four different perspectives: that of the architect, by Neil Clerehan; the designer, by Mary Featherston; the conservator, by Suzanna Shaw; and the collector, by Dean Keep.
Additional authors: Mary Featherston, Neil Clerehan, Suzi Shaw, Dean Keep, Denise Waterhouse, Peter Aitkins, Conrad Hamann. Catalogue of an exhibition held at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia, Melbourne, 30 May - 19 October 2014. Includes bibliographical references.