The Melbourne Art Fair took place over four days last week at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Making its debut at the fair was FutureObjekt, a new salon and platform for collectible design and furniture. FutureObjekt took up a fair chunk of the fair's floor plan and I can't understate how exciting and dynamic it felt. From my count, there were 21 stands at FutureObjekt, representing more than 40 names in Australian object, lighting and furniture design. Andy Kelly and Mitch Zurek of Oigall Projects are the driving force behind FutureObjekt, created something really special this year. I hope it's a fixture at Melbourne Art Fair for years to come.
Here are some of my favourite design pieces I spotted at the fair.
Pilz collection from Volker Haug
If you were to look at the archive of Volker Haug's lighting, you might not expect these delicate, glass mushroom lamps to be the next chapter in the story, but what a delight they are - and evidence of the constant creative gymnastics Volker Haug achieves. Softly sculptural and quietly expressive, the Pilz collection celebrates a 4000-year-old glassmaking tradition brought to life by master artisans in Murano, Venice. Each lamp is individually blown, blending classic and contemporary murrine patterns to create one-of-a-kind pieces within the series.
Developed through a hands-on collaboration between Volker Haug Studio and Venetian makers, the collection reflects a rich exchange of craft and creativity.
Verra hardware by Zachary Frankel
Meet Verra, a new hardware line of sand-cast bronze handles and knobs by Melbourne designer Zachary Frankel. Developed through iterative making in Melbourne and Milan, the sculptural family - Almond, Biscotti, Brutalist, Croissant, Dunes, Egg, French Curve and Ribbed - celebrates touch and tactility. The collection is available in natural or distressed bronze, each piece is designed to age beautifully, embracing patina as part of its evolving character.
Fotel chair by Brud Studia
When they're not running Oigall Projects and putting on FutureObjekt, Mitch and Andy are also designing furniture under their brand Brud Studia. The Fotel armchair is, as they put it, their first "proper step into something softer and more comfortable". Made from aluminium, leather and duck down, this sculptural chair invites you to lay all over it and immediately appoint it as the most supportive relationship in your life.
Rose Sofa by Joris Pogglioli
Italian architect and designer Joris Pogglioli flew all the way to Melbourne from Paris to present a series of his furniture with gallery Twenty Twenty and Mobilia. Joris has French-Italian heritage, and his designs are a perfect blend of French elegance, Italian eccentricity and his strong architectural background. Joris's Rose Sofa is made from elongated, cylindrical elements that curve to define the back and seat. It may not look super comfortable, but I'm here to tell you, I came, I sat, I approved. Upholstered in supple leather, the tubular frame forms a rhythmic, sculptural profile that balances comfort with architectural clarity. Its clean lines and considered proportions lend the chair a confident contemporary presence, while retaining a sense of warmth and tactility. Molto bene/tres bien.
Cascade of Feelings light sculpture by Marta Figueiredo
I've followed Melbourne-based designer Marta Figueiredo's work from the near start (you can read our Artichoke profile from 2022 here) and it is always delightful, original and surprising. There is a tension to her work, and that is no different in this light sculpture, where fabric panels layer atop of a perforated aluminium frame. The perforations show cut-out motifs, reminiscent of pinhole art, and allow light to gently filter through the sculpture. The layered textile introduces tonal depth through its rich colour and weave. There are only ten of these beauties available, so you know what to do.
Wall Relief Edition (Scoop pattern) by Henry Wilson
Henry Wilson has never made a product I didn't like, and for me, this one is up there in my all-time favourites. This wall relief, featuring an intriguing scoop pattern, is part of a series of studies by Wilson in which he casts aluminium tiles and arranges them into unique patterns. This one in particular captures and reflects light, emphasising its forms, texture and materiality.
Helly lamp by Peter D Cole
I've written before about my love for Peter D Cole's atmospheric, evocative work. Now Peter has crossed over from sculpture to functional, and done so naturally and elegantly with this floor lamp. This lamp in particular feels intentional, architectural and thoughtful and is a wonderful addition to his body of work.
Invertible by ACV Studio
At this year's Melbourne Art Fair, Anna Varendorff of ACV Studio was the recipient of the fair's inaugural design commission. For the commission, Anna has turned her iconic U-shape vase into large-scale lights and vases, defined by their pared-back tubular forms and graceful arcs. It's admirable the way in which Varendorff has consistently evolved her work over the years, but still kept her design language clear and refined.
Mushroom lamp by Hannah Kuhlmann
The Mushroom table lamp transforms stainless steel into something intimate and atmospheric. Handcrafted in Cologne, its gently oversized form sits between lamp and standing light size. Visible seams and subtle irregularities honour the making process, resisting industrial uniformity in favour of quiet presence. More companion than furniture, Mushroom brings a dreamlike stillness to the everyday. Cut, folded and assembled much like a garment, the piece reflects Kuhlmann's approach to metal as a tactile, dressable medium.
The Past That Made Them coffee table from Agglomerati
Rotterdam-based furniture and object designer Maria Tyakina likes to explore sculptural gestures and the intersection between abstraction and functionality. This coffee table, made from Mongolian black granite, explores surface tension and is a "negotiation of balance, pressure and restraint". I love the idea that these stone tables carry weight both functionally and conceptually.
Bollinger Champagne Bar by Brahman Perera
After a couple of hours exploring the fair and FutureObjekt, I was truly ready to plonk myself down with some plonk (not that Bollinger has ever been accused of being plonk). Sitting front and centre at the entry to MAF, this champagne bar dreamed up by Brahman Perera served as a resting spot, meeting parlour and celebration lounge for those visiting and purchasing at the fair. Perera's signature palette of rich fabrics, brushed brass and layered opulence was in full display at the champagne bar, as well as a bigger and better version of his Belle Lamp that he's evolved over the years.
