jonathan ben-tovim

05.   Hardwares Exhibition

2026
Sophie Gannon Gallery, Part the 2026 Melbourne Design Week

 Hardwares grew out of a long-standing interest in ordinary utilitarian objects and the decisions behind how they are made, constructed and used. Many of the works reference objects that carry a sense of familiarity or nostalgia for me, including torches, ladders, spirit levels and improvised furniture.

Rather than designing entirely new forms, many pieces begin with existing objects or subtle references to twentieth century art and design, including the work of Donald Judd and Ettore Sottsass. I’m interested in slightly removing myself from the creative process and instead responding to forms that already exist in the world around me.

The exhibition is ultimately about paying closer attention to overlooked objects and reframing them in a different context