Influential, visionary designer Khai Liew dies

People | ArchitectureAU Editorial

14 Dec 2023

Khai Liew leaves behind an outstanding legacy.

South Australian furniture designer and craftsperson Khai Liew has died, aged 71.

Liew was an internationally respected designer, most recognized for his production of beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind, wooden furniture pieces – each of which are imbued with rich narratives.

His impressive achievements include being awarded the South Australian of the Year Arts Award in 2010 by the Government of South Australia. In 2016, Liew was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he received the Design Icon Award from the DIA.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1952, Khai Liew grew up in a large close-knit family headed by his maternal grandmother. In 1971, the family emigrated to Adelaide. As a student at Flinders University, Liew frequently visited second-hand stores to marvel at historical Australian furniture pieces.

Upon finishing university, he established a business that specialized in the dealing of antique Australian furniture, particularly works in the Biedermeier/Barossa tradition. In 1996, Liew began designing his own furniture after being commissioned by former Art Gallery of South Australia director, Ron Radford, to make a series of benches for visitors.

In the early stages of his career, his father’s appreciation for Danish furniture played a significant role in shaping his work. However, as his career progressed, he referenced numerous sources of creative inspiration including Scandinavian modernism, the ancient cultures of Egypt and China, the British Arts and Crafts movement, and Australian colonialist furniture.

His masterful work has long been characterized by deceptively simple shapes, which are best described by the phrase “more than meets the eye.” His Collectors series, comprising six works, at first glance seems to be a random assortment with no common thread connecting each piece, but upon closer inspection it becomes clear that Liew has cleverly imitated slight forms and details throughout the entire collection.

Kirsten [armchair] from the series Collectors 2010, by Khai Liew and Kirsten Coelho.

An expert in decorative and fine arts, Liew combines his knowledge of the past with a deep appreciation of traditional craft-based practices to produce a unique and original contemporary Australian vernacular in furniture.

Liew’s work has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Design Museum in London and the Triennale De Milano. Across Australia, his work is displayed in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

As well as private commissions across the globe, he also created one off pieces for Louis Vuitton stores across the world.

Bruce [cabinet on stand] by Khai Liew and Bruce Nuske, from the series Collectors 2010.

Liew was inextricably linked to the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), which has commissioned and features many of his pieces on permanent display. AGSA’s director Rhana Devenport said the loss would reverberate across the country, and Australian design would be profoundly affected.

“Khai remains undoubtedly one of Australia’s most influential and visionary designers and he leaves an exceptional legacy. Staff at AGSA – past and present – are immensely saddened by this loss,” Devenport said.

“Like many South Australian artists, Liew’s fifty-year practice is deeply embedded in the history of our gallery. It has been a tremendous privilege for AGSA staff to work so closely with Khai in many capacities over decades – as a brilliant designer, an inspired advisor, and a great friend. A curator’s designer, Liew will be remembered for his deep knowledge of Australian art history, impeccable connoisseurship, and generous collegiality. Liew combined his knowledge of the past with a deep appreciation of traditional craft-based practices to produce a unique and original contemporary Australian vernacular in furniture.

“He remains a shining light in Australian contemporary design, he leaves an outstanding legacy and has made an extraordinary impact nationally and internationally. He will be forever remembered as one of Australia’s most innovative, generous and nuanced designers. We have lost a gracious and true gentleman who was respected by all who knew him, and loved by many.”

AGSA has 16 works by Liew; the earliest the Deloraine chair was designed in 1997, Wanda bench designed in 2000, Jeannie bench designed in 2001, Spoehr chair, 2007, Love cube, 2004, Rem chest on stand, 2009, the seminal 2010 Collectors series of works and exhibition in collaboration with the craftspeople; Julie Blyfield, Kirsten Coelho, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, Jessica Loughlin, Bruce Nuske, and Prue Venables.

Alice and friend in Wonderland by Khai Liew.

Recently, AGSA also acquired a two-seater, or love seat titled Alice and friend in Wonderland, made from Queensland blackbean – a native timber. The form of this chair plays with perspective; in approaching the piece from the front, the chair resembles a simple bench seat, yet from the back, a curvaceous behind with two rabbit-like ears is revealed. The idea for the chair came from a body of work produced by Liew for the Sydney-based businesswoman and philanthropist Judith Neilson.

Liew was commissioned to design 190 pieces of furniture exclusively for Neilson’s home, Indigo Slam. At the time of crafting the pieces, Liew said, “I thought the most important thing in this palatial home was joy and laughter and what better way of bringing joy and laughter into a home than having grandchildren visit. So, in a quietly devious way, I made all these items of furniture that would bring Judith’s grandchildren to the house – an Alice in Wonderland chair, a sunflower chair, penguin side table and Shaun the Sheep lounge chair. They’re all things that adults wouldn’t have a clue about, but kids understand the language.”

The Alice and friend in Wonderland draws on Lewis Carrol’s whimsical 1865 novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Originally developed as a single seat called Alice in Wonderland, Liew extended on the idea to create a love seat exclusively for the AGSA.

Devenport said Liew’s remarkable contribution to the arts will forever be remembered.

“Despite Khai’s sudden passing, his legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with our visitors every day here at AGSA. Khai recognised the importance of creating employment and harnessing skilled labour in ensuring the continuity of craft and design. We are immensely grateful for the influence and support he generously gave to fellow artists and AGSA.”