A new exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia will reimagine the objects we use daily and ask how design can make the world a better place.
Opening on 29 August, Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday spotlights more than 50 designers from Australia and abroad who are creating products and systems that improve health, sustainability and social equity.
From oyster shell terrazzo and seaweed straws to biodegradable cling wrap and self-growing kids’ clothes, this free show is a window into the future of consumer design. Glass artist Matthew Curtis, for instance, repurposes old TV screens into architectural glass blocks, while Besley & Spresser combine restaurant oyster waste with white cement and recycled marble to form a stylish, sustainable building material.
You’ll also find air-purifying paints by Singapore’s Gush and plastic-free vinyl alternatives by Other Matter. Melbourne-based Good-Edi’s edible coffee cups are here too – crunchy, compostable, and made with locally sourced grains.
In the fashion space, Petit Pli’s kids’ garments grow with the wearer, while New York label TômTex has made leather out of seafood waste and mushrooms. Kiki Grammatopoulos’ eco running shoes? They plant seeds as you walk.
The exhibition will also explore innovations in health, such as Hoopsy’s 99% plastic-free pregnancy tests and Bed Intentions’ microbiome-safe lubricant.
NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM said, “The innovations presented in Making Good reflect a pivotal moment in how designers are conceptualising their work, going beyond function to consider the social and environmental impact of products.”
Running until 1 February 2026 and presented with RMIT, Making Good includes a symposium on 29 August. Entry is free. Visit ngv.vic.gov.au for details.
