EMBARGOED UNTIL 9am, 21 March 2025
Iconic Australian designer Clement Meadmore’s mid-century furniture and lighting designs unveiled by renowned Australian furniture designer and manufacturer, Grazia & Co.
Australia’s leading design professionals gathered tonight for an exclusive unveiling of the highly anticipated Meadmore collection. Reimagined and relaunched for the discerning tastes of 21st-century collectors and design enthusiasts, the collection offers a fresh perspective on timeless classics.
Ewan McEoin, Senior Curator of the Departments of Contemporary Art and Contemporary Design and Architecture at the National Gallery of Victoria, welcomed some of Australia’s leading creatives to an exclusive evening at Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens. The venue provided a fitting backdrop for the collection, which, enhanced by the introduction of innovative materials, can now be enjoyed outdoors as well as in domestic and commercial interiors.
Clement Meadmore’s son, Quentin, and granddaughter Jade, officially opened the launch of the collection, with Jade stating:
"I'm delighted to see these enduring designs brought back to life, ready to inspire a new generation." – Jade Meadmore
And Quentin adding that:
"Grazia's team has faithfully honored Clem's vision, adapting it for modern living." – Quentin Meadmore
As one of Australia’s most unique and important designers, Clement Meadmore’s contribution to Australian design is unparalleled. His early designs—now considered Australian design classics—have been out of production for over six decades making original examples rare and highly sought after by collectors and public institutions.
To meet this ongoing interest in Meadmore’s oeuvre, Grazia & Co have worked closely with the Meadmore family, as well as Meadmore scholars and collectors Jeromie Maver and Dean Keep, to reintroduce some of his most iconic furniture and lighting pieces to the market. Selected for their contemporary appeal, Grazia & Co have reimagined these designs to ensure they remain relevant for modern living, whilst staying true to Meadmore’s original design legacy.
Highlights of the designs unveiled included:
The Corded Furniture Range,was the first of Meadmore’s commercial designs. The Corded chair (1951) is an iconic Australian design that continues to intrigue more than 70 years after its creation. Reception for the chair among Melbourne’s design and architecture fraternity was overwhelmingly positive, winning the Good Design Award from the Society of Interior Designers of Australia (SIDA) in 1953. Following the success of the Corded chair, Meadmore expanded the range to include the corded armchair, stool and recliner.
Corded chair, 1951
Corded armchair, 1952
Stool, 1952
Reclining chair, 1953
Now made with a solid stainless-steel frame and hand roped with Australian made marine grade or cotton cord, this chair can be enjoyed indoors or out and is available in a range of colours.
The Calyx Lighting range earned Meadmore his second Good Design Award from the Society of Interior Designers of Australia (SIDA) in 1954. Reimagined for modern living, the scale of the lamps has been adapted to meet Australian safety standards and to take advantage of low-voltage LEDs. Available as both floor and table lamps, the Calyx lighting retains its original lemon shade while introducing a range of contemporary colours that reflect the Australian landscape.
Calyx standard lamp and table lamp, 1954
Leather Sling Chair, Model 248 (1963) is recognised for its contribution to design excellence, having been acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1967 for their permanent collection. In keeping with Grazia & Co’s commitment to sustainability, the Leather Sling chair is now crafted with a polished stainless steel frame in an easy-to-maintain mirror finish, eliminating the need for chrome plating. The sling is constructed from hand-stitched saddle leather in natural, black and olive. This chair was put back into production at the request of Quentin Meadmore, son of Clement, who identified it as his favorite of all his fathers’ furniture designs.
The Meadmore Side Table (1954) with its triangular forms incorporated into the frame, echoes Meadmore’s adherence to the principles of the De Stijl and his love of geometry. While deceptively simple in appearance, the considered design results in a table with great stability. Recognising the significance of Meadmore’s furniture for this iconic mid-century home, Grazia & Co have updated Meadmore’s Side table for both indoor and outdoor use. Available in two sizes, the Side table is crafted in stainless steel, with tabletops in Jarrah, Spotted Gum, and a selection of natural stone.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact: Emma Barnett, Grazia & Co + 61 (0)439 092 622
For trade enquiries, please contact: Grazia & Co +61 (0) 3 9555 5760
The new collection can be viewed from 6pm on 20 March at www.graziaandco.com.au
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Clement Meadmore (1929–2005)
Clement Meadmore was born in Melbourne in 1929. From a young age, he exhibited a talent for understanding complex mechanical models and problem-solving.
In 1948, Meadmore enrolled in the first intake of the newly introduced Industrial Design course at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT), the first of its kind in Australia. Here, he took classes in art and three-dimensional modelling and was introduced to the principles of the Bauhaus and De Stijl movements, both of which had a profound influence on the emerging designer.
His first furniture design, the corded chair was an early experiment in creating a three-dimensional object based on Mondrian’s Composition paintings. The success of the Corded chair (1951) led Meadmore to create a range of furniture and lighting designs that exemplified this unique language of linear forms along with his newfound interest in sculpture.
In 1963 Meadmore relocated to New York where he gained international recognition for his sculptural work. His signature style involved bold, geometric forms crafted from materials such as Cor-Ten steel and aluminium. His works can be found in major public spaces and institutions around the world, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Throughout his career, Meadmore received widespread acclaim for his ability to merge industrial materials with expressive artistic vision, solidifying his place as one of the most significant industrial designers of his time.
Below Images available at https://www.graziaandco.com.au/prdownload. More on request.
All photography by Danny Smith. All on location images shot at Wood Marsh Architecture project.
Key Facts:
- A collaboration between the Meadmore family and Grazia & Co.
- Clement Meadmore’s iconic mid-century furniture and lighting designs have been relaunched after six decades.
- The new range has been adapted for both indoor and outdoor use.
- The range is all made in Melbourne.
About us:
Grazia & Co
Established in 2014 by Grazia Materia and Steve Parry, Grazia & Co focus on artistic partnerships in all areas of the design and manufacturing processes to craft high quality, originally designed furniture, all made in Melbourne, Australia.
Alongside their own designs, Meadmore joins Featherston as part of Grazia & Co’s commitment to preserving Australian design history. These two legacy ranges honour the past whilst reimagining the iconic work of these designers for contemporary living.
Contact details:
Emma Barnett, Grazia & Co + 61 (0)439 092 622
