A Greener Future by Design

Bringing together more than 60 works from leading international and Australian designers, the exhibition examines the growing role of plant-based materials as alternatives to plastics and other non-renewable resources. Furniture grown from fungi, bio-plastics that react to light, and innovative building materials made from hemp are among the groundbreaking ideas on display.  

Presented across four thematic chapters, Plant Life highlights how design is evolving to meet the environmental challenges of the future. Alongside contemporary works, the exhibition also celebrates the enduring knowledge of First Nations communities, showcasing objects crafted from natural materials including tree bark, grasses, bamboo and bull kelp.  

A new commission developed in partnership with RMIT University explores the potential of mycelium-grown materials for protective clothing, while architectural projects demonstrate how agricultural waste can be transformed into beautiful and functional spaces. Visitors will also discover how designers are rethinking familiar materials and questioning the environmental impact of the objects we use every day.  

More than an exhibition about sustainability, Plant Life offers an inspiring glimpse into a future where creativity, innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through furniture, architecture, film and craft, it reveals how thoughtful design can help redefine our relationship with the natural world. 

Plant Life: The Nature of Design will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 28 August 2026 until 7 February 2027. Admission is free.  

LEARN MORE: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/plant-life/