A celebration of Tasmanian design

Design Tasmania is proud to announce Tasmania Makes 25, a celebration of Tasmanian design excellence presented across two exhibitions. The first took place from 24 January to 25 May 2025, and the second will debut from 1 June to 21 September 2025.

Tasmania Makes 25 spotlights 16 contemporary Tasmanian designers working across furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, glass and object design. The annual showcase highlights the bucolic destination’s distinct culture of sustainable, materially-led design through a mix of craft, innovation and local industry collaboration. Curated by Design Tasmania in partnership with industry leaders committed to sustainable production, the exhibitions reflect a uniquely Tasmanian approach to making.

Tasmania Makes 25 is presented in collaboration with local partners, including Hydrowood, Waverley Mills and Timber World Tasmania. Each brings a shared commitment to sustainable making and meaningful investment in the state’s creative industries. From timber and textiles to digital fabrication, these collaborations reflect the same values – curiosity, craft and community – that define the makers they support.

Amongst the featured artists, Ben Grieve-Johnson employs traditional hand-tool techniques, carving and steam bending to create contemporary pieces that speak to the current cultural moment. Positioning craft as a counterpoint to technological capitalism, his work has been exhibited at Design Tasmania and Moonah Arts Centre, and shortlisted for major national design prizes. Adam Wallace, known for his collage-based textile and object designs, contributes one-off works crafted entirely in-house at his Hobart studio, 245 Macquarie. These pieces often include bags, lighting or sculptural forms made from found materials such as canvas, sailcloth, vintage fabrics and leather. Travis Bell – an artist, designer and educator based in Launceston – showcases a ceramic practice that explores the tension between balance, fragility and material worth through sculptural function and disciplined craft. His work has shown at Sawtooth, the Devonport Regional Gallery and the Powerhouse Gallery.