Marc Newson is Australia's most successful contemporary designer. Since graduating from Sydney College of the Arts in 1984 he has worked in Japan, Italy and France and currently runs a high profile international practice in London. During his 15-year career 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, acquiring one of his first chairs, the 'Marc 1', in 1985 and commissioning this 'Embryo' chair in 1988 for the exhibition 'Take a seat'. This chair, covered in bright pink neoprene wet suit fabric, received wide publicity when first shown and, like the 'Lockheed Lounge', has since become one of Newson's signature pieces and something of a 20th century design icon.

Like the 'Orgone' and the 'Wood' chair of the same year, the 'Embryo' represents an important milestone in Newson's career, a watershed between his Sydney and international practices. Stylistically, it falls between the 'Insect' chair of 1986 and the 'Felt' and 'Wicker' chairs of 1989-90. The 'Embryo' has been produced by de de ce, Sydney and Idee, Toyko and is currently manufactured by the big Italian company Cappellini, testament to its continuing status as a significant example of 20th century design. The 'Embryo' complements and enhance the museum's current holdings of Newson's work which encompasses furniture, lighting, watches and homewares as well as prototypes and drawings, including sketches for the 'Embryo' (90/724-1/1 - sketchbook).

This chair was designed by Marc Newson, Sydney, Australia, 1988. The chair was commissioned by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse Museum in 1988 and sponsored by Sedia Australia

This chair was made by DeDeCe, Sydney, Australia, 1988

Chair, 'Embryo', neoprene/ polyurethane/ steel/ aluminium, designed by Marc Newson, made by DeDeCe, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1988

Easy chair constructed of neoprene and polyurethane on a steel frame. The chair is shaped in a fluid biomorphic form with the back and seat forming one amoeba shaped piece. The back and seat are made of polyurethane foam covered in fluorescent pink sponge neoprene, zippered down the back and supported on three legs of lacquered tube steel. The front legs are right angled into the body of the seat through a hollow tube strengthened by outer aluminium flanges.

Designed: Newson, Marc; Sydney

Designed: Newson, Marc; Australia

Made: De De Ce; Sydney; 1988

Made: De De Ce; Australia; 1988

88/661-1

810 mm