As one of Australia’s most unique and important designers, the contribution of Clement Meadmore to Australian design is unparalleled. Early Meadmore designs are now considered Australian design classics.
A Designer In The Making
Clement Meadmore was born in Melbourne in 1929. From a young age, Meadmore exhibited a talent for understanding complex mechanical models and problem solving.
In 1948 Meadmore enrolled in the first intake of the newly introduced Industrial Design course at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT), the first of its kind in Australia. Here, Meadmore took classes in art and three-dimensional modelling where he was introduced to the principles of Bauhaus and De Stilj; movements that had a profound influence on the work of the emerging designer.
Furniture Form and Sculpture
His first furniture design, the corded chair was an early experiment in creating a three-dimensional object based on Mondrian’s Composition paintings. The success of the Corded chair (1951) led Meadmore to create a range of furniture and lighting designs that exemplified this unique language of linear forms along with his newfound interest in sculpture.
A Global Sculpture Legacy
In 1963 Meadmore relocated to New York where he gained international recognition for his sculptural work. His signature style involved bold, geometric forms crafted from materials such as Cor-Ten steel and aluminium. His works can be found in major public spaces and institutions around the world, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Throughout his career, Meadmore received widespread acclaim for his ability to merge industrial materials with expressive artistic vision, solidifying his place as one of the most significant industrial designers of his time.
Continuing The Legacy
To meet the ongoing interest in Meadmore’s oeuvre, Grazia & Co have worked closely with the Meadmore family, as well as Meadmore scholars and collectors Jeromie Maver and Dean Keep, to reintroduce some of his most iconic furniture designs to the market. Selected for their contemporary appeal, Grazia & Co have reimagined these designs to ensure they remain relevant for modern living, whilst staying true to Meadmore’s original design legacy.