As a designer of exquisitely crafted furniture, Khai Liew is passionate about materials and the handmade. Drawing on his own cultural heritage and his expert knowledge of Australian decorative arts and colonial histories, Liew occupies a unique place in contemporary furniture design. His decades-long championing of Australian colonial furniture as a specialist conservator, consultant and valuer have seen Liew actively promote this important component of Australian material culture, curating many significant private collections, with public collections in state and national art institutions showcasing numerous definitive examples of Australian pioneer vernacular provided and conserved by Liew. His designs have been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London’s Design Museum and La Triennale di Milano. His work is represented in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Photography: Randy Larcombe