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, France and Britain. 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 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' was produced in Sydney by de de ce, in Tokyo by Idee, and later by the big Italian company Cappellini, testament to its continuing status as a significant example of 20th century design.

The Embryo chair was designed by Marc Newson in Sydney, Australia, in 1988. This 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 in Sydney, Australia, in 1988.

The chair was displayed at the Powerhouse Museum in the 'Take a seat' exhibition in 1988 and the 'Marc Newson - design works' exhibition in 2001.

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, New South Wales; 1988

Made: De De Ce; Sydney, New South Wales; 1988

88/661

1988

810 mm