'Collectors' exhibition by Khai Liew: Amber views some of the work of this great South Australian designer in the Adelaide City region of South Australia
When you enter Khai Liew's studio in Norwood you enter a sophisticated world of fine design and meticulous form. His work features in galleries throughout Australia and around the globe and spend a little time in his Magill Road shop and you see why.
Recent commissions include the exhibition space in the refurbished Museum of Economic Botany at the Botanic Gardens. If you're after a more luxurious setting try Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
Khai Liew: "I like the idea that when you make something you think 'great - this is a great piece'. But each day as you look at it you discover more things about it. And that for me makes some things greater than others."
To mark his amazing journey from antique dealer to world renowned designer and as part of SALA - the South Australia Living Artists Festival, Khai has mounted a special exhibition called 'Collectors'. It's a clever collaboration with six artists who share his meticulous attention to detail.
A classic example is this cabinet built of Black Bean timber. It's a joint effort between Khai and Julie Blyfield and the detail of Julie's silver handles echoes Khai's impeccably crafted woodwork.
Another piece, the 'Prue Cupboard' - is Khai and Prue Venables take on East meets West - with a very Asian influence on a classic Aussie meat safe. In this case, the perforated tin panels of a traditional meat safe have been replaced with four delicate hand-pierced porcelain sieves…
Khai Liew: "It has that very Japanese roofline and Japanese form - and yet still has a kind of northern European quality to it."
The exhibition is truly varied from a hand-made screen of European Limewood framing fused and sandblasted glass by Jessica Loughlin… to an exquisite serving table with handles bound in kangaroo hide. Khai's even stamped the exact position Gwyn Hanssen Picket decreed her porcelain cups should rest.
Then there's a classic Khai Liew chair. "I've always wanted a chair where I can sit down - with a drink in one hand and a bowl of fruit in the other and this is it. It's a generous, sturdy chair made out of oak with a linen seat…"
Kirsten Coalho created the accompanying porcelain pieces which include a very Australian characteristic. She's used iron oxide to give the look of rusting corrugated iron around rims.
Khai Liew: "What I enjoy about this chair is that every time you change your angle, if you look at it from the back, or the side or front it's a completely different chair."
In his nearby workshop, a group of artisans bring Khai Liew's rigorous designs to life. From a new ceremonial chair for Adelaide University Vice Chancellor to public seating for the National Gallery in Canberra - here, everyday objects are anything but ordinary.
Khai Liew: "I believe that something you make should be just as relevant and just as exciting and just as beautiful 500 years from now."
To mark Khai's achievements Wakefield Press has published a new book featuring a stunning gallery of his ground breaking works from the early days until present. It's a pictorial study of Khai's design journey from 1950s Kuala Lumpur to his place on the world stage. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Khai Lew - from Wakefield Press is available at all good bookshops and galleries
The Collectors exhibition will be open until August the 29th. The Khai Liew Gallery and shop is at 166 Magill Road in Norwood.
The SALA Festival runs until August 22, 2010. For a full rundown of events and exhibitions check out www.salafestival.com
'Khai Liew'
Wakefield Press RRP $44
Available good bookshops'Collectors' exhibition
Until Aug 29
166 Magill Rd NorwoodSala Festival
Until Aug 22nd 2010
www.salafestival.comPublished 8th August 2010
