DETAILS
Free, no booking required
St Heliers Street Gallery
Abbotsford Convent, 1 Saint Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC, Australia
DATES
Thu 14 May 8am – 10pm
Fri 15 May 8am – 10pm
Sat 16 May 8am – 10pm
Opening event 3-6pm
Sun 17 May 8am – 10pm
Mon 18 May 8am – 10pm
Tue 19 May 8am – 10pm
Wed 20 May 8am – 10pm
Thu 21 May 8am – 10pm
Fri 22 May 8am – 10pm
Sat 23 May 8am – 10pm
Sun 24 May 8am – 10pm
This exhibition pays homage to the iconic work of three female design luminaries — Simone LeAmon, Helen Kontouris and Laura McCusker.
Ash Allen has recreated, in steel weldmesh, a piece from each of their portfolios and presents the narrative behind each work.
Participants
Simone LeAmon
Simone LeAmon brings three decades of independent design practice, curatorial leadership and advocacy. From 2015 to 2025, she was the inaugural Hugh D.T. Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture at the National Gallery of Victoria, and in 2026 she was appointed CEO of the Design Institute of Australia. As a designer, she co-founded n+1 equals interdisciplinary studio (1998–2003) and Simone LeAmon Design and Creative Strategy (2003–2015), working across commercial and cultural projects spanning object and furniture design, interiors, contemporary jewellery and speculative design. LeAmon’s work is guided by a clear proposition: design is infrastructure for how we live, relate and imagine what comes next, with a career dedicated to its cultural value and impact for people, place and the planet.
Helen Kontouris
Helen Kontouris is a local designer whose work explores the relationship between object movement and the rituals of contemporary living. Her practice is defined by ease, proportion, and a sensitivity to how design inhabits space, allowing presence to emerge naturally. Rather than pursuing novelty, she is drawn to permanence: forms that feel inevitable, materials that age with grace, and objects that remain relevant across contexts and time. Every curve, detail, and proportion is considered, allowing craftsmanship and material intelligence to emerge through use. Helen designs objects for living – considered, enduring and expressive.
Laura McCusker
Laura McCusker is an award-winning furniture designer and maker based in Hobart, with professional practice spanning over twenty-five years. Blending clean aesthetics, mid-century influences and subtle nods to her Brazilian heritage with Brutalist undertones, Laura's approach to tackling complex commissions has led to growing demand for her work. By merging traditional materials, techniques and craftsmanship with contemporary design, she creates distinctive pieces with a strong sense of authenticity and provenance.
Ash Allen
Ash Allen is an artistic engineer with a passion for furniture design and history. He has exhibited his award-winning furniture both locally and overseas and won the Clarence prize last year with his Beanless bag.