Sydney Born Designer Marc Newson is one of the most influential designers of the modern era. His work is celebrated for its bold, futuristic aesthetics and innovative use of materials.
Newson’s early projects, many of which were conceived and created in Australia, laid the groundwork for his illustrious international career.
Marc Newson studied Fine Art at The University of Sydney and with the aid of an Australian Crafts Council grant, he staged his first solo exhibition in 1986 at the age of 23. He began his career hand making furniture and timepieces in a workshop in Sydney, early designs included the Super Guppy Lamp, Pod of Drawers and Embryo Chair, the latter of which has been in production since its inception. Newson has an ability to create objects that are both practical and visually striking. The Embryo chair epitomized his interest in organic shapes and vibrant colors.
By the age of 25, Newson had created the Lockheed Lounge, a riveted aluminium chaise longue that has arguably become one of the most iconic contemporary design works. Solidified in the pop culture zeitgeist when featured in Madonna’s ‘Rain’ music video. The Lounge moves beyond both modernist and post-modernist principles and achieves a fluidity that is a triumph of contemporary design on three legs. The name of the Lounge references the famous American airplane manufacturer and it evokes the industrial era while being entirely contemporary. It has set four world record prices at auction for work created by a living designer. His design pieces are highly sought after on the secondary market.
In 1988 at the invitation of the Crafts Council of New South Wales, Marc Newson designed his Wood Chair for its travelling exhibition The House of Fiction: Domestic Blueprints in Wood. Alongside esteemed contemporaries such as Shiro Kuramata the task was to utilise Australian timbers in their designs. Initially constructed from steam-bent coachwood and maple, Newsons wood chair has seen a couple of iterations in pine and is now produced by Capellini in beech.
Throughout his career, Newson has maintained ties to Australia through collaborations with notable Australian institutions and companies. One of his most prominent partnerships has been with Qantas Airways. Marc designed the award-winning Skybed Business Class seat in 2003, then a few years later the interiors of the A380 suite. In 2007 his Qantas First Class lounge designs for the Sydney and Melbourne international terminals won multiple awards. Featuring aerodynamic futuristic forms and a colour palette referencing the Australian landscape.
Newson has left an indelible mark across various fields, from furniture and industrial design to aviation, timepieces, automotive and architecture. Now residing in the UK his connection to Sydney through his vast oeuvre remains strong.
Leonard Joel is always delighted to include pieces by Marc Newson in our seasonal Modern Design auctions with highlights in recent years including Embryo chair, Wood chair, Supper Guppy lamp and Orgone table to name a few.
By Rebecca Stormont, Modern Design Specialist
Top Image: Marc Newson, cloisonné Blue Chair 2017, London and Beijing cloisonné enamel, copper. Metamorphosis exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia , Adelaide featuring over 40 works and looks at themes of transformation and change in nature, the body and materials. Credit: amer ghazzal / Alamy Live News
February 2025