Suzie Stanford
Suzie Stanford — 'All Creatures Great and Small' Tapestry Chair, 2026
This embroidered tapestry chair celebrates the rich diversity of the natural world, bringing together creatures great and small in a joyful expression of connection, coexistence and belonging. Upholstered using a combination of vintage and contemporary needlepoints, the work reflects Suzie Stanford’s distinctive approach to reimagining found and cherished materials, transforming them into something entirely new.
Across the chair’s surface, animals, birds, insects and botanical forms gather in a shared landscape, each an integral part of a larger whole. Drawing on the storytelling traditions of historic textiles, the piece explores the idea that all living beings, regardless of size or status, are interconnected and equally worthy of care and attention. The juxtaposition of old and new needlework celebrates both the enduring beauty of handcraft and the potential for renewal through creative reuse.
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Suzie Stanford is a Melbourne-based designer and maker whose practice is grounded in the transformation of discarded, forgotten and culturally obsolete materials. Describing herself as a "designer and finder", Stanford has long been fascinated by the potential of overlooked objects, reimagining ceramics, brass, leather, textiles and found materials into distinctive contemporary works. After spending a decade living overseas, she returned to Australia and reignited her passion for creating one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate reinvention, craftsmanship and storytelling.
Stanford first gained international recognition through her jewellery label, The Crown Jewels, which was stocked in Paul Smith stores globally from 2002. Since then, her practice has expanded to encompass furniture, lighting and bespoke design projects for commercial and private clients. Characterised by unexpected material combinations, playful references and a vibrant sense of humour, her work seeks to provoke thought, evoke memory and inspire delight. Handmade in her sun-drenched Melbourne studio, each piece embodies her commitment to imagination, sustainability and the art of giving new life to the discarded.
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12 November 2026 - 6 February 2027
View the exhibition collection
Craft Victoria presents Visionaries 2026, curated by Tali Roth.
Visionaries is Craft’s flagship exhibition series, designed to create meaningful pathways between Australia’s exceptional makers and the wider worlds of design, culture and everyday life.
Tali Roth is the founder and creative director of the award-winning Studio Tali Roth. For Visionaries 2026, Tali has curated an immersive presentation informed by her interior design practice in Australia and internationally.
The exhibition will showcase more than 50 Australian makers and artists, celebrating a bold and playful approach to living with craft.
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Material: Hand tapestry, silk, cotton and wool thread, piping, chair
Dimensions: approx. 80 H x 90 W x 80 D cm
Please note: purchased works are to be collected at the conclusion of the exhibition (6 February 2027).
Shipping costs may be estimates. Please contact us via shop@craft.org.au and we will be available to provide an Art Courier quote or shipping costs for larger items.