Recognising the need for a physical space to exhibit their design collaborations, Broached Commissions recently established a permanent gallery space in Bourke Street, Melbourne.

The design collective, founded by creative director Lou Weis and design industry entrepreneur Vincent Aiello, collaborates with designers to create limited edition designs that are informed by particular periods in Australian history.

“By fusing the depth of history with cutting-edge design, the company creates work that embodies a story of Australian life and fulfils contemporary, functional needs,” explains Weis.

The company launched with their first collection, Broached Colonial, which is currently on show at the gallery.

Work by the company’s 3 founding design members Trent Jansen, Adam Goodrum and Charles Wilson are all represented in the space. Goodrum’s Birdsmouth Table, Wilson’s Tall Boy and Jansen’s Briggs Family Tea Service sit alongside Lucy McRae’s Prickly Lamps and Max Lamb’s Hawkesbury Sandstone Collection.

The company is currently busy completing the design development of their second Broached Collection.

The range focuses on the Australia/Asia relationship during the gold rush period, which after a massive boom period, ended with a prolonged recession in the late 19th Century.

During this period Australia participated in the largest migration of peoples across the planet in human history.

“Our interest is in the patterns relating to our Asian neighbours that emerged during this period,” explains Weis.

The collective is working with Tokyo-based, guest designers Azuma Makoto, Keiji Ashizawa, Beijing-based Naihan Li and 3 Australian designers. The collection is expected to launch at the gallery towards the end of 2012, in Melbourne and then Sydney.

The Broached Colonial exhibition is on display until October. Broached Commissions are offering private tours of the space. Contact info@broachedcommissions.com to arrange a viewing.

Photography: Scottie Cameron

Broached Commissions
broachedcommissions.com