Late 20th century furniture by Adelaide designer Khai Liew

Khai Liew was a late 20th-century Australian furniture designer, born in 1954 in Penang, Malaysia. He moved to Australia in 1972 and studied industrial design at the South Australian School of Art in Adelaide, where he graduated in 1981.

After graduation, Liew worked for several design firms in Adelaide, including Wills Furniture and Jardan. In 1995, he established his own design studio, Khai Liew Design, which gained a reputation for producing high-quality furniture with a focus on craftsmanship, materials, and traditional techniques.

Liew's designs are characterized by their elegant simplicity, refined detailing, and use of natural materials, such as timber, leather, and stone. He often drew inspiration from his Asian heritage, as well as from the Australian landscape and cultural history.

Liew's work has been exhibited in major galleries and design shows around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the National Gallery more... of Australia, and the Milan Furniture Fair. He has also been commissioned to create furniture for a number of public and private clients, including the Australian Parliament House and the National Gallery of Victoria.

In addition to his work as a designer, Liew has been an influential figure in the Australian design community, serving as a mentor and teacher to many young designers. He has also been recognized for his contributions to design with numerous awards and honors, including the Australia Council Visual Arts/Crafts Emeritus Award in 2010 and an Order of Australia in 2012. less...