The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
2001/112/1 Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 4, 2001/112/1 Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 4, 2001/112/1 Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000. Click to enlarge
  • Image 3 of 4, 2001/112/1 Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000. Click to enlarge
  • Image 4 of 4, 2001/112/1 Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000. Click to enlarge

'Embryo' chair by Marc Newson

Designed
This chair represents the international success enjoyed by Australian designer Marc Newson. Since graduating from Sydney College of the Arts in 1984, he has worked in Japan, Italy, France and London. He has designed furniture, lighting, interiors, watches, homewares, a bike, a concept car and a jet. He appears regularly in international design journals and his work is represented in collections thoughout the world.

The Powerhouse Museum has supported Newson since early in his career, …

Summary

Object No.

2001/112/1

Object Statement

Chair, 'Embryo', polyurethane / steel / 'bielastico' fabric, designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, made by Cappellini, Italy, 1988-2000

Physical Description

Chair of curved, rounded 'hourglass' shape made from injection-moulded polyurethane foam on a steel frame and covered in dark blue 'bielastico' fabric. There are three tubular steel legs, one connected to the back and two front legs connected through voids on either side of the chair front to the inner frame.

Marks

None

Short URL

https://ma.as/9731

Dimensions

Height

800 mm

Width

810 mm

Depth

890 mm

Weight

19 kg

Production

Designed

Made

Notes

The 'Embryo' chair was designed by Marc Newson for the 1988 Powerhouse Museum exhibition 'Take a Seat'. Sketches for the design are in Newson's sketchbook (object number 90/724-1/1) and various loose drawings. Stylistically, the 'Embryo' is linked to the 'Insect' chair (1986) and the 'Felt' and 'Wicker' chairs of the following two years. The 'hourglass' form of the 'Embryo' became Newson's signature shape and was elaborated in many subsequent designs.

The chair was made by Cappellini in Italy. Since 1988 Embryo chairs have been made by de de ce in Sydney, Idee in Tokyo, and most recently again by Cappellini. This chair was probably manufactured in 2000.

Source

Credit Line

Purchased 2001

Acquisition Date

18 November 2001

Cite this Object

Harvard

'Embryo' chair by Marc Newson 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 1 June 2023, <https://ma.as/9731>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/9731 |title='Embryo' chair by Marc Newson |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=1 June 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

We want to hear from you

I know more about this object   I have a question about this object   
Creative Commons Licence

Copyright for the above image is held by MAAS and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please contact MAAS Rights and Permissions for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives licence

  Submit an image license enquiry.