A New Take on the Classic Beanbag
Melbourne-based designer-maker Ash Allen has won the 2025 Clarence Prize for his innovative work Beanless, reflecting an ongoing exploration of sustainable materials and inventive fabrication.
Reimagining the humble beanbag in flocked steel mesh, Ash has transformed a casual lounge object into a sculptural, heirloom-quality design that debuted at SOFT during Melbourne Design Week in May.
Allen developed a unique technique of wrapping and welding steel mesh around timber moulds.
This process creates lightweight yet strong structures with shifting opacity.
“With the jig assembled, I wrapped the steel mesh around it with a hammer and a few screws. Once the separate sections were formed, I removed the jig and MIG-welded the four sections together.
The piece was then sandblasted and flocked burgundy red to look and feel as soft as possible. Unlike the source of inspiration, this piece is transparent, is heirloom in quality, can be coated for outdoor applications and needs no beans to be functional.”
Caged at MDW, NGV Melbourne Now
A long-time Authentic Design Alliance collaborator, Ash first showcased his wire objects with us during Melbourne Design Week, 2022. Caged (above) occupied the Villa Alba Museum’s manicured front garden.
The series of one-off black steel mesh sculptures, created with permission from original, iconic furniture pieces, serves as a statement on design knock-offs and the inequity of Australian design IP protection.
Work from Caged featured Allen’s interpretation of Adam Goodrum’s Volley Rocker from Tait Furniture, which went on to exhibit at the NGV Melbourne Now triennale the following year.
Australian Furniture Design Excellence
The biennial Clarence Prize is one of Australia’s most respected awards for contemporary furniture design, celebrating innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship across the national design community.
City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the Prize demonstrates that world-class design is thriving in Tasmania.
The main acquisitive prize includes $20,000 and acquisition into the City of Clarence Art Collection.
Two additional prizes were awarded:
- Highly Commended: Kindling by architect/maker Adam Markowitz with glass artist Ruth Allen
- Emerging Designer: Ballast by Jess Humpston (recipient of the Authentic Design Alliance ‘Vivid Design Award of Merit’ 2024) pictured below
“The Clarence Prize proves that global-quality design isn’t confined to international cities – it’s happening right here in Clarence
The event connects the local community with the broader Australian design landscape and supports emerging talent.”
“Kindling” — A Dialogue Between Glass and Timber
Collaborators Ruth Allen and Adam Markowitz were awarded Highly Commended for their poetic luminaire, Kindling. The work captures the charged encounter between molten glass and finely crafted timber, uniting two elemental materials in a single expressive form.
Kindling explores material intelligence, shared risk, and the deep knowledge held in handcraft, exemplifying the depth of Australia’s design culture.
This exceptionally crafted lumiere, a functional, illuminated sculpture, debuted at the 100 Lights exhibition, curated by Dale Hardiman and Tom Skeehan, during Melbourne Design Week in May by Friends & Associates.
“Kindling captures the charged moment of encounter between two elemental materials: molten glass and finely crafted timber. The result is a singular luminaire that speaks to material intelligence, shared risk, and the deep knowledge held in handcraft.”
“Lightness and solidity, space and tether; Ballast balances lightweight construction with solid stone battens anchoring to the ground” Jess Humpston, Ballast coffee table | 2025, Celery top pine, travertine
Exhibition at Rosny Farm
The finalists’ works, including Beanless, Kindling, and Ballast, are now on display at Rosny Farm until 5 October 2025. Fifteen designers were shortlisted from across Australia, including three from Tasmania.
Visitors can explore an impressive range of experimental and functional furniture pieces at The Barn, Clarence’s cultural arts precinct.
Visit the Exhibition: Rosny Barn, Hobart
7 September – 5 October, 2025
