Melbourne-based designer Ruby Shields launched her new design house Studio Shields during Melbourne Design Week this year with an exhibition entitled Synthesis, including the work of over 40 artists, makers and designers in an immersive exhibition at the Bishop’s Parlour at Abbotsford Convent.
With this new show, Ruby has taken her background as an Art Director in advertising and mixed it with a love for rich colours and textures to create a show with real impact.
The ambition of the exhibition is impressive, bringing together a range of makers, like designer Craig Shanahan whose Rompicapo cabinet shows off beautiful veneers, and designer Jordan Fleming whose works Wade table in metal and Clover Ottoman in leather and timber provide new materials and shapes for home furniture.
Some names are more well known, like Martyn Thompson, best known for ceramics, whose Red Eros Vessel was joined by totally fresh works, the Panel Jacquard Screen and two tapestries made of cotton jacquard. Marlo Lyda presented Pat, a fabric lamp that glows both base and “shade”, with a charming off-centre personality. But most names are new, to me at least.
The types of works are various, from ornate pieces like the int.cab.01 cabinet by Max Copolov made with inlaid veneers and sculptural works like Studio Dakola’s Glass Vessels and Tantri Mustika’s Lattice Vase. Right through to the more architectural, like Fold Table in aluminium and Lava table in aerated aluminium by Bel Williams, the Moose Side table by Dean Norton, and the Riva Wall Light by Objects for Thought.
There are also some impressive collaborations, including the Second Subject bench made with interwoven timbers plus upholstery by Space-man Studio and Studio Blank. And some pieces are pretty maximalist, visually speaking, like the Loom Armchair designed by Carl Broesen, Twelve Years Room Screen by Nicole Lawrence and the Athos, a totally original light made with pine shavings by Bolaji Teniola.
The exhibition is particularly strong on lighting, with works like the Media and Amplus Totems and Ember Totem by Femme Brutale, the Alter Floor Lamp and Palea Form II by Studio Kaytar, and the Crumple Lamp by Amy Rider providing totally new shapes for lighting.
The presentation is also stunning – I didn’t visit the exhibition myself this year, but to see the warm rich wall colours and layering of fabrics, rugs and objects was fantastic, even from afar. And Ruby herself, complete with her theatrical golden toga-esque garment by Speczmen (crafted by Brendan Smith), completes the total aesthetic that is totally her own. Brava.
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