NGV International, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, and venues across Victoria | 18–28 May 2023

Melbourne Design Week, Australia’s largest annual international design event returns, presenting innovative and engaging projects that celebrate the diversity and excellence of Australian design and architecture. Now in its seventh year, Melbourne Design Week is a vital platform to profile the breadth of Australian talent, from emerging to established design practitioners. Presented by Creative Victoria in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne Design Week presents exhibitions, talks, films, tours, and workshops across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Building on the ideas unveiled during previous iterations of the program, the 2023 edition continues to explore the theme of “Design The World You Want” and this year introduces three new pillars to provoke thought and investigation –Transparency, Currency, and Legacy.

Extensive programming responding to the theme is showcased across Melbourne and regional Victoria aspart of the Melbourne Design Week satellite program. The program includes HARD presented by Calum Hurley, an exhibition showcasing queer creatives from around Australia; Design, Unbuild: Autumn Room presented by Monash Architecture, a temporary installation at Collingwood Yards utilising the courtyard’s large Plane trees in various states of autumn defoliation; and Numbulwar pop-up studio and exhibition - a collaboration between Tait, Agency and Numbulwar Numburindi Arts -where the artists have reimagined Tait’s iconic Tidal chair using discarded ghost fishing nets that wash up on the shores of the remote Numbulwar community.

Leading galleries and design curators are also mounting thoughtful shows highlighting a diverse pool of Australian talent. The Silo Project is a group, site-responsive exhibition curated by Josee Vesely and housed in a former grain silo in inner city Melbourne; Fitzroy-based OIGÅLL PROJECTS presents a group show of 10 Australian-based designers including Volker Haug, denHolm, Brud Studia, Olivia Bossy and more; and Symphonic Skateboarding, designed by Kirby Clark, captures the unique beauty of skateboarding through an installation that creates music when skated over.

Paula Savage has been awarded the 2023 Melbourne Design Week Award, presented by Mercedes-Benz. Announced on the opening day of Melbourne Design Week, Savage is the recipient of the annual $5,000 prize which recognises an outstanding contribution to the Design Week program. Savage is a senior Mualgal artist from Moa Island in the Torres Strait and is renowned for her ability to bring to life the enduring traditional material practices of her cultural heritage. During Melbourne Design Week 2023, Savage presents three extraordinary works at the Melbourne Design Fair on display as part of the FOCUS exhibition, which brings to attention the skills and conceptual prowess of five accomplished Australian female designers. Savage was selected to display works in the FOCUS exhibition through her accomplishment in melding an array of creative practices: weaving, tie-dying, carving and jewellery making.

Curated by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Art Foundation, Melbourne Design Fair 2023 has now launched at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) until 21 May. The centrepiece of Melbourne Design Week, Melbourne Design Fair is Australia’s largest presentation of contemporary and twentieth century collectible design by leading Australian and international practitioners. This year Melbourne Design Fair features the work of more than 150 designers across 60+ presentations staged by prominent commercial galleries, design agencies, organisations and studios, and offers visitors the chance to view and purchase one-of-a-kind, limited edition and small batch design production, including furniture, lighting and contemporary jewelry.