Inspired by the natural elements and landscapes of his childhood, Tasmanian designer Brodie Neill seeks to reinterpret, respect and elevate sustainable materials. He transforms reclaimed or recycled raw material into museum-grade pieces that blend an enduring design language with state-of-the-art digital technology. His furniture is known for its expressive form and meticulous attention to craft.
Often, Neill’s work will foreground environmental issues or explore ways to give waste products a new purpose. Flotsam (2017) and Jetsam (2022) are crafted from Ocean Terrazzo, a ceramic-like material that transforms reclaimed ocean plastic fragments, while the ReCoil table (2021) is made from reconditioned Hydrowood veneer, which is harvested from ancient Tasmanian trees submerged in reservoirs. In 2008, his @Chair featured in Time magazine’s ‘The Design 100’ edit of the most influential design objects in the world.
In 2016, Neill represented Australia at the inaugural London Design Biennale with his first exhibition Plastic Effects, which showcased the now iconic Gyro table (2016). A year later, he presented a multimedia installation entitled Drop in the Ocean at the ME London hotel for the London Design Festival.
The installation featured several pieces made from Ocean Terrazzo to highlight the far-reaching effects of plastic consumption. Neill has subsequently addressed both the European Union Parliament and the United Nations on the harmful impact of single-use plastics. Nine Brodie Neill works crafted from sustainable materials were displayed in a dedicated selling exhibition for Sotheby’s called Material Consciousness in 2022.
Neill studied at the Hutchins School and the University of Tasmania in Australia before completing a master’s degree in furniture design from Rhode Island School of Design. He established his east London studio in 2005 and has since collaborated with brands including Riva 1920, Kundalini, Swarovski, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz and Alexander McQueen.
His limited edition works feature in museums and galleries around the globe, including the National Gallery of Victoria, AMA Collection in Venice and RISD Museum in the USA.
