For design lovers and collectors  – the latest offering from Sydney’s Shapiro Gallery presents a unique opportunity to witness some Australian design classics in the flesh.

Curated by Sarah King, the iconic works of 20 designers are housed in the walls of the temporary ‘museum’, where visitors will be able to peruse the collection of modern classics and perhaps even take one home.

“The Australian-ness of the idea sprang from my growing interest in local and national design,” says King of the museum-meets-exhibition concept behind the show.

“We see the concept of buying Australian design for its beauty or cleverness and its investment value as a really important part of the promotion of our design culture.”

Featuring the works of both young and emerging designers as Daniel Emma alongside long-established names as Adam Goodrum, the event brings together prototypes and limited edition pieces.

“In most cases, because these works are one off or limited, they were handmade by the designers themselves.”

The original prototype of Adam Goodrum’s Stitch chair (now produced by Cappellini) jostles for space with one of the three solid white oak ‘Double Dutch’ chairs by Khai Liew, whilst Mark Gowing’s work for Hopscotch films brand identity colour the walls.

“There is a mood of playfulness in the work, which I think is most definitely a cultural thing. We are not Italian, so our design is not too outrageous, we are not Danish, so it’s not too refined, and we are not Dutch so it’s not mainly about the idea.

“Being Australian seems to lend our design a blend of all of these elements into something playful and optimistic, yet serious.”

“Hopefully, while it is fairly contemporary, the exhibition is also a little timeless and is starting to give a sense of our recent history.”

The Australian Design Museum Exhibition opens 25 February and runs until 7 March 2010.

Australian Design Museum
australiandesignmuseum.com