All Things Considered

Ernest Race
Posted by Simon Lewin

We're genuinely very proud to have been selected to feature in Liberty's 'Britain Can (Still) Make It' event, curated by David Nicholls, Design Editor of the Telegraph Magazine in association with Michelle Alger, Liberty’s home and furniture buyer.

It's a unique exhibition made up entirely of UK designed and produced furniture, lighting, ceramics and textiles - part of London Design Week.

We have collaborated with the Race Furniture Company in their re-issue of Ernest Race's BA3 chair.

Oliver Childs profiles Ernest Race's work on his Homespun Vintage Design website:

"Ernest Race was one the most important figures in British post-war design. After studying interior design, Race began his career with the lighting manufacturer Troughton & Young. During World War II Race served with the auxiliary fire service, after which he founded Race Furniture Ltd in Clapham, South London. Race realised that redundant wartime materials could be recycled, so he designed his furniture to utilise discarded aluminium and ex-RAF upholstery fabrics. In 1946 Race showed the BA chair at the ‘Britain Can Make It’ exhibition. Made from recast aluminium, this design epitomised the post-war spirit and set new standards within industrial design. Race established himself at the forefront of the modern design movement, producing some of the most innovative furniture of the 1950s."

The exhibition at Liberty will present a mix of established and burgeoning designers from the world of furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles and metal - all of whom produce their work in the UK.

Britain Can (Still) Make It at Liberty, Regent St, W1 (4th Floor) from Saturday 19th – Sunday 27th September 2009. Further details can be found on our St. Jude's website.

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 5th, 2009