Marc Newson's solo US show presents his oeuvre in a domestic setting

Marc Newson: At Home at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
'Marc Newson: At Home' at the Philadelphia Museum of Art brings together a comprehensive array of the industrial designer's best known, one-off and hypothetical creations in a domestic setting for his first US solo exhibition
(Image credit: TBC)

After several years of dormancy on the gallery circuit, Marc Newson has returned with a bang with the staging of his first solo exhibition stateside at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Presented at the museum's Perelman Building, 'Marc Newson: At Home' brings together a comprehensive array of Newson's best known, one-off and hypothetical creations in a domestic setting.

Laid out like rooms in a home, the exhibition has rounded up pieces from Europe, Asia and Marc Newson's own collection that date across the last thirty years. In the kitchen, the Australian designer's iconic 'Dish Doctor' dish rack for Magis (1998) stands opposite his Strelka cutlery set for Alessi (2001) and his porcelain in-flight service for Qantas Airlines' A380 (2008). In the bedroom, the Bumper bed (2013), finally produced by luxury craftsmen Domeau & Peres, is flanked by a rail of colourful clothing from the designer's collaboration with G-Star, each hanging on an orange 'Hercules' coat hanger (1997), and a rare version of the Black Hole Chop Top desk (1993), which fetched £99,650 at auction in 2011.

The garage offers a rare view of two prototypes - a concept car for Ford and his MN Bicycle for the Danish biking company, Biomega, which both reveal Newson's futuristic view of technology despite the fact that they were designed in 1999.

'The show tries to balance Marc Newson's iconic works with lesser-known pieces, all in the context of the domestic interiors we've created,' explained the show's curator Kathryn Hiesinger. '[Newson's] use of simple continuous silhouettes allows the viewer and user to understand the object at a glance, while bright colours, unusual materials and technical processes enrich the visual experience.'

In each room, Newson's fluid, ergonomic style manifests itself in various forms. His limited-edition pieces such as the aluminum and steel 'Lockheed Lounge' chaise (1985) and the futuristic 'Diode Floor Lamp' (2007), are thrillingly un-restrained, and while his Pentax K-01 camera (2012) and 'Scope' luggage range for Samsonite (2004) are much more commercial, they are directional and impactful all the same. It is this inspired versatility to tackle objects both big and small that makes Newson a true icon and this show is a worthy summation of his career to date.

Australian-born designer's 'Lockheed Lounge' (1988) made from riveted aluminium, fibreglass, rubberised paint.

The show features the Australian-born designer's 'Lockheed Lounge' (1988) made from riveted aluminium, fibreglass, rubberised paint.

(Image credit: Karin Catt)

Laid out like rooms in a home, the exhibition has rounded up pieces from Europe, Asia and Marc Newson's own collection that date across the last thirty years

Laid out like rooms in a home, the exhibition has rounded up pieces from Europe, Asia and Marc Newson's own collection that date across the last thirty years

(Image credit: TBC)

The Corian and aluminium Diode Floor Lamp (2007)

The Corian and aluminum 'Diode Floor Lamp' (2007). Courtesy of Gagosian Gallery

(Image credit: TBC)

Newson's 'Bunky Bunk Bed' (2011)

Newson's 'Bunky Bunk Bed' (2011) is made from rotationally moulded polyethylene plastic.

(Image credit: Tom Vack)

Nimrod Chair (1998‑2002)

His 'Nimrod Chair' (1998‑2002) is composed of blow moulded plastic, polyurethane foam, and wool or leather fabric.

(Image credit: Tom Vac)

Dish Doctor dish rack for Magis (1998), Strelka cutlery set for Alessi (2001) and porcelain in-flight service for Qantas Airlines A380 (2008)

In the kitchen, the designer's iconic 'Dish Doctor' dish rack for Magis (1998) stands opposite his Strelka cutlery set for Alessi (2001) and his porcelain in-flight service for Qantas Airlines' A380 (2008)

(Image credit: TBC)

The yellow 'Gas Stovetop' (2008)

The yellow 'Gas Stovetop' (2008) is composed of stainless steel with cast iron panstands. Courtesy of Marc Newson Limited

(Image credit: TBC)

Bumper bed (2013), colourful clothing from the designer's collaboration with G-Star, each hanging on an orange 'Hercules' coat hanger (1997), and a rare version of the Black Hole Chop Top desk (1993)

In the bedroom, the Bumper bed (2013), finally produced by luxury craftsmen Domeau & Peres, is flanked by a rail of colourful clothing from the designer's collaboration with G-Star, each hanging on an orange 'Hercules' coat hanger (1997), and a rare version of the Black Hole Chop Top desk (1993), which fetched £99,650 at auction in 2011

(Image credit: TBC)

A puffa jacket from the industrial designer's 2004 G‑Star clothing collaboration.

A puffa jacket from the industrial designer's 2004 G‑Star clothing collaboration.

(Image credit: Richard Allan, Andy Tan)

The bathroom

In each room (even the bathroom), Newson's fluid, ergonomic style manifests itself in various forms

(Image credit: TBC)

The carbon fibre Ford 021C Concept Car and his MN Bicycle for the Danish biking company, Biomega

Even the garage offers a rare view of two prototypes - the carbon fibre Ford 021C Concept Car and his MN Bicycle for the Danish biking company, Biomega, both designed in 1999

(Image credit: TBC)

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Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.