National Gallery of Victoria along with Melbourne Art Foundation Announces Launch of Melbourne Design Fair

Presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, the inaugural Melbourne Design Fair (16 – 20 March 2022) is a commercial showcase of limited edition, rare and one-of-a kind collectable design by Australia’s leading, emerging, and established contemporary designers and designer-makers.

An initiative of the National Gallery of Victoria in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation, the Fair breaks new ground in the presentation, promotion and sale of collectible contemporary design in Australia and will offer audiences a unique cultural experience with all the design works presented available for purchase.

Melbourne Design Fair is a key event within the Victorian government backed Melbourne Design Week program, and the first of its kind in Australia to bring together designers, design organisations, agencies, studios and galleries with collectors to meet and do business over five days.

The Fair will showcase collectible contemporary design works across two platforms: PRESENT where galleries, design organisations, agencies and studios mount dedicated displays by the design creatives they represent; and SELECT, a curated exhibition featuring the best works by emerging and established designers and designer-makers from across Australia. Works across both platforms will be available for purchase.

PRESENT includes presentations by thirteen of Australia’s leading galleries, design organisations, agencies, and studios. SELECT brings together over thirty-five Australian design creatives in a presentation curated by Simone LeAmon, NGV’s Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture. Works for sale will manifest in a compelling exhibition comprising a mix of Australian design luminaries and rising stars.

Providing an unrivalled opportunity to view, discover and purchase significant works of collectable contemporary design by Australian and New Zealand designers, Melbourne Design Fair will include a program of talks and conversations with exhibiting designers, design curators, and critics to broaden awareness of the contemporary collectable design scene in Australia and internationally. A film series presented by major partner Mercedes-Benz Australia offers further insight into the creative practices and design work of participating designers.

Martin Pakula, Acting Minister for Creative Industries, said: “The NGV and the Melbourne Art Foundation joining forces for Melbourne Design Fair showcases Melbourne’s best talents while creating economic opportunity for local designers. Melbourne Design Fair will be a highlight of Melbourne Design Week 2022.”

Simone LeAmon, The Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, National Gallery of Victoria said: “Collectible contemporary design is cultural production reflecting our time, offering alternative points of view, commentary or insights into the design, and making of objects anchored to function and the rituals of everyday life. Audiences will find prototypes, limited edition, limited serial production and one-of-a-kind, works on offer…”

Melbourne Design Fair (16 – 20 March 2022) is an initiative of the National Gallery of Victoria delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation. Located at Warehouse 16, 28 Duke Street in Abbotsford, ticket sales and a complete program of participating galleries, designers and events will be announced via designfair.melbourne in early February.