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Grant & Mary Featherston
Grant and Mary Featherston were at the forefront of Australian modern design, shaping the visual and cultural landscape of the mid-20th century. Grant, a self-taught industrial designer, rose to prominence in the 1950s with the revolutionary Contour series — a collection of chairs that fused organic form with everyday comfort. Mary, an interior designer with a deep interest in the social role of design, joined him in both life and practice, bringing a holistic vision that expanded their work beyond objects to spaces, environments, and communities.
Together, the Featherstons pushed Australian design into an international dialogue, championing innovation, accessibility, and beauty in equal measure. Among their later explorations, the Numero VII is particularly notable — a sculptural chair conceived in the 1960s that embodies their fascination with bold silhouettes and new materials. With its playful yet commanding presence, the Numero VII encapsulates their ability to balance experimentation with timeless appeal.
Today, Grant and Mary Featherston are recognised not only as iconic designers but as cultural trailblazers whose influence continues to inspire contemporary makers, collectors, and design lovers around the world. Their work, from the Contour to the Numero VII, remains a defining expression of Australia’s modern design heritage.
