Rising Aussie talent takes his seat at Milan Design Week
Arts
An emerging South Australian furniture designer will step out of his mentor’s shadow to present his own works at Milan Design Week for the first time.
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Andrew Eden spent two years as renowned furniture maker Khai Liew’s design assistant in Adelaide, South Australia, before branching out on his own. Eden has already caught the world’s attention, earning an invitation to exhibit his furniture at the Milan Design Week Din-Design-In Fair from April 17.
He has worked with furniture for 15 years including a studio associate placement in the highly sought after furniture design program at Adelaide’s Jam Factory.
“I discovered at the Jam Factory that you don’t have to put much shape or form into timber to let it sing. The more minimal you can make the aesthetic, the more impact the timber has,” Eden says.
It was at the Jam Factory that Eden met the prolific South Australian furniture and interior designer, Khai Liew. Eden worked alongside the iconic designer – including on a 250-piece bespoke furniture commission and interior fit-out for White Rabbit Gallery owner, Judith Neilson, in Sydney.
Having developed his craft with Liew, Eden started his own furniture design business, AG, and is now on the cusp of global success.
Andrew Eden’s ‘FLC’ (Framed Lounge Chair), with a steel rod frame. Photo: Andy Eden
Milan Design Week will showcase future-minded products for contemporary living from more than 2000 European and international exhibitors. It is expected to attract over 300,000 visitors from 165 countries. The Din-Design-In Fair, where Eden will exhibit, aims to connect design professionals and companies with business opportunities and contacts.
For his exhibition, Eden developed ‘Piegare’ – a solid timber table with a unique folding action, designed specifically for small spaces.
Eden’s ‘FLC’ (Framed Lounge Chair), with a steel rod frame and a Raf Simons-designed Kvadrat upholstered seat will also feature in the exhibition along with a set of three stools varying in height for various settings.
“AG aims to embody simplicity through choice of material while allowing raw materials to speak for themselves,” says Eden. “The pieces are designed to be purely functional, yet fun and quirky reinventions of everyday products.”
Eden says AG’s mantra is Cadence. Functionality. Artistry. The small-batch offering of clean-lined, simple furniture is the embodiment of hiss experience and knowledge of the design industry.
Eden describes his designs “fine in form and firm in function,” and “no frills”.
He says he hopes Milan Design Week will raise global brand awareness for AG and tap into an international market.
“As a proud South Australian designer and craftsman, my ambition is to help advance a local representation on a renowned, international platform. This festival [Din-Design-In Fair] attracts over 120,000 thousand visitors and is a rich opportunity for learning,” he says.
Eden’s attendance at Milan Design Week is being funded by the Guildhouse IF interest free loan service – which has loaned more than $120,000 to 30 South Australian artists to invest in their businesses.
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