Marc Harrison (pictured) grew up on Auckland's North Shore and migrated to Queensland in the 80s and is now the designer and director of Husque, a design ware company based on the iconic Australian Macadamia nut shell.

Husque products are retailed widely including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and grace the homes of celebrities including Cate Blanchet.

With a background in boatbuilding and interior design, Marcs furniture and product designs have been published in international books and magazines, and have been the core of his design studio since 1991.
www.husque.com

Luis Nheu initially studied furniture design at the University of Tasmania, a school which has produced some of Australia's most successful artists and designers. He then undertook a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Interior Design at Queensland College of Art.

Since then Nheu has won a swathe of design awards and has worked extensively as a furniture designer and interior designer in both Australia and the UK. The latter included two years with Paul Daly Design Studio as senior designer and project manager.

Nheu is a versatile and talented designer and is able to apply his skills successfully to projects ranging from the fit-out of up-market strip clubs to the design of devotional furniture. Although responding to diverse briefs, each project he undertakes is imbued with his trademark sculptural sensitivity, respect for materials and attention to detail. Nheu is currently a Director - Head of Interior Design for architectural firm, Brand + Slater architects in Brisbane.
www.luisnheu.com

Designer David Shaw completed a degree in Fine Art (Industrial Design) in 1979. Since then his career has included work as a Designer-Maker, University Lecturer in Design, and In-house Designers for Manufacturers, Architects, and Interior Designers.

His design work includes individual pieces, commercial furniture for office and hospitality, and Architectural applications.

In 1991 David established Street and Garden Furniture Company and still remains Director. S+G have completed many projects both nationally and internationally, including designs for Town and City Centres, Commercial Projects, and Private Developments.

David has been awarded many industry accolades for his design work and commitment to the design industry in Australia. In 2008 David was made a fellow of the Design Institute of Australia. David has been a past president of Crafts Queensland (Artisan) and continues to represent the design community on the DIA Council and various other Boards.

Although David's main focus is on his company, which is now a major employer and sponsor of fellow designers, he occasionally takes time out to develop products for the sheer satisfaction and enjoyment he gains from the design process. The Bara is the result of one of those moments.
www.streetandgarden.com.au

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1977, Alexander graduated from Industrial Design at Ort School. He moved to Australia age 19.

In Australia graduated from the Queensland College of Art, receiving many design awards, including the Design Institute of Australia Prize "Best Design Student"- noted for his innovative and experimental use of material ranging from jewellery to cardboard furniture.

In Japan at GK Planning & Design in Tokyo he participated in the development of products for clients such as Asahi, Mizuno and others. At IDEE Headquarters, he developed a range of low furniture including his acclaimed "skid seaters" and softsofa for Sputnik and defied the pre-conceptions of existing industrialized products with his "lightflow" light.

Had participated in international exhibitions with Sputnik, Designers Block London, Tokyo, Milano, New York, San Francisco, Berlin, Moscow and one of his products is part of the design collection at the Pompidou Museum in Paris.

He currently collaborates with IDEE-Sputnik/Japan, Planex/Australia, SIGG/Switzerland, COVO/Italy, Artquitect/Spain, Escofet/Spain, S&G/Australia, the design of the entire Furniture Strategy for South-bank Tafe Brisbane where he currently resides.

In 2007 Alexander Lotersztain was name top "10" most influential faces in Design by Scene Design Quarterly, top 10 of 100 Young Brightest Australian Achievers Bayer/Bulletin Award and one of 100 most influential top designer worldwide in &fork by Phaidon.

Alexander is consulting for the In Africa Foundation to create sustainability among arts & crafts communities with the vision of creating a vibrant and modern African design style.
www.stylecraft.com.au

FOUR AUSTRALIAN DESIGNERS
Marc Harrison, Luis Nheu, David Shaw, Alexander Lotersztain
With an introduction by David Trubridge
Wednesday 18 February 2009
6.00 - 7.30pm with Q&A
Gold coin entry
Century Theatre - Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery - Napier

Hawke's Bay Museum & Art

11/02/09