On International Women's Day 2023, Bethan Laura Wood was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Women in Design Commission from NGV and MECCA's M-Power initiative. The Melbourne Museum and Australian beauty brand have joined forces since 2016 on a series of projects that 'empower and engage female artists and designers. These include commissioning a creative for the MECCA annual holiday packaging, and collaborating on the M-Power grant programme, offering emerging female artists and designers a year-long mentoring support.
This is the second Women in Design Commission, following Tatiana Bilbao in 2022, whose work at NGV drew attention to deep inequalities around domestic work in contemporary society. Over five years, new commissioned designers will be announced to coincide with International Women’s Day each March, while the final work will be presented by the end of the year. At the end of the five-year partnership, NGV will host an exhibition to showcase the five new works, also strengthening the presence of women creators within the NGV collection.
Bethan Laura Wood, NGV and MECCA: Women in Design Commission 2023
Bethan Laura Wood’s ‘Nilufar Wisteria Chandelier’, 2022
‘I am honoured to produce new works which will become a permanent addition to the NGV Collection,' comments Wood. 'This commission, supported by MECCA, will allow deeper exploration into my practice of material investigations and offers a unique opportunity to present my contemporary design pieces in conversation with historical works from the NGV Collection.’
Bethan Laura Wood’s ‘Poltronova Superonda+Terrazzo’, 2022
Since starting her studio in 2009, Wood's maximalist, colourful work has explored materials and craft, spanning a range of media. There is seemingly no limit to what Wood can do: applying her optimistic style to rugs inspired by succulents or fruit salad, intricate Murano-glass creations, bug-inspired Boudour furniture and practical ceramics are just a few of her recent projects and collaborations, which also include meaningful endeavours with specialist artisans from Venice to Mexico.
Opening in December 2023 until April 2024, her installation for the Women in Design Commission will combine furniture, textiles and scenography, focused on a theme of the gendered history of education and learning.
Bethan Laura Wood in collaboration with Christopher Farr’s ‘Jelly Salad‘, 2022
‘The enormous talent and contribution of designers like Bethan remind us how important it is to ensure that women are represented not just in design schools, but in studios, galleries and leadership positions in the design industry,' says Jo Horgan, founder and co-CEO, MECCA, and NGV Foundation board member. 'Bethan’s multidisciplinary approach also reminds us that creativity, diverse thinking and curiosity can achieve remarkable things, and help us to see the world in new ways. MECCA M-POWER is all about championing equality and opportunities for women and girls, and we’re so delighted to be able to help bring Bethan’s work to new audiences and inspire women and girls in Australia to dream big.'
ngv.vic.gov.au
mecca.com.au
bethanlaurawood.com
Bethan Laura Wood’s ‘Nilufar Meisen Caterpillar’, 2022
-
Watch dance, music and film collide at a unique event at Abbey Road StudiosIn this exclusive film, watch Abbey Road’s first Artist in Residence, Jordan Rakei, collaborate with industry-leading creatives to produce a dance performance in the hallowed Studio One
-
Frances Elkins gets her dues at Christie's this JuneYou can soon take home a piece of the legendary American designer’s legacy…including a $3 million Alberto Giacometti sculpture.
-
The new Phone 2 Pro from CMF combines generous scale with true affordabilityWe explore the ins and outs of the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the newest device from the Nothing sub-brand that focuses on bold design and carefully honed value engineering
-
Bethan Laura Wood’s kaleidoscope of colours arrives at Melbourne’s NGV‘Kaleidoscope-o-rama’ is a new exhibition by Bethan Laura Wood (3 December 2023 to 7 April 2024), the result of her NGV MECCA 2023 Women in Design Commission
-
Bethan Laura Wood’s psychedelic collection for Kaldewei is the avocado bathroom of her dreamsBethan Laura Wood’s ‘Avocado Dreams’ collection for Kaldewei combines the German company’s expert manufacturing with a whimsical visual interpretation
-
Art, artefacts and Armani Casa: step into our Made in Italy showcaseIn this photographic series, we combine Armani Casa’s timeless furniture collections with Italian art and rare artefacts to tell the story of Made in Italy craftsmanship
-
Playful design codes rule in this London Victorian family home2LG Studio embraces colour and comfort in an extensive renovation of a Victorian family home
-
Design at the White House: the creatives working with US Presidents past and presentInterior designers, fashion designers and artists, whose collaborators have included the White House and its residents, with commissions that range from interior refits to presidential portraits
-
Essx store opens in New York’s Lower East SideEssx is a new concept and community store by local architecture firm Leong Leong and designer Yossi Shetrit
-
Eastside Bowl scores big with a maximalist postmodern aestheticDesigned by Cowboy Creative, Eastside Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee, combines American nostalgia and southern charm
-
The Design Parade kicks off a creative Summer in the French MediterraneanDesign Parade 2023, set between Hyères and Toulon until the fall, features a showcase of design by emerging and established talent
