An exhibition of award winning furniture from the prestigious Jerwood Applied Arts Prize, the UK’s most significant prize in applied and decorative arts, has opened at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

This is the only Scottish venue for the exhibition, The Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2004: Furniture, which is a Crafts Council Touring exhibition.

The exhibition includes winners BarberOsgerby’s ‘Loop Table’ in laminated birch ply as well as work from other short-listed designers; a self-consuming barbecue by Jim Partridge, an ‘Ego Club’ (mini disco complete with strobe light) by Ultimo Grito, a ‘Fresh Fat Dining Chair’ and ‘Mirror Balls’ by Tom Dixon, and the now iconic ‘Table=Chest’ by Azumi.

Curator Stephen Jackson said “This exhibition showcases the crème de la crème of the UK’s furniture designers, and demonstrates how the vibrant UK scene attracts the best talent from abroad to work here. El Ultimo Grito have designed for Marks and Spencer’s; Tom Dixon is Habitat’s Creative Director; BarberOsgerby‘s clients include Stella McCartney; Azumi’s work is distributed internationally and Jim Partridge’s work is displayed in museums across the world – these are designers at the cutting-edge of their field.”

Prize judges included eminent design critic and editor David Redhead, Olle Anderson, Managing Director of White Design AB, Gothenburg; Tamsin Blanchard, Style Editor of the Observer Magazine; Robert Kilvington, furniture designer-maker; and Charles Rutherford, architectural designer-maker. 

The exhibition is taking place in a new gallery in the Museum of Scotland, which will host a rolling programme of exhibitions on a wide variety of subjects. The gallery was formerly occupied by the Discovery Centre, a learning zone for children, which is being redeveloped as four new, exciting interactive discovery areas across the Museum.

The exhibition, The Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2004: Furniture, is on from 22 July until 18 September 2005 at the Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF tel: 0131 247 4422.  Opening hours Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Tuesday 10am to 8pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5pm.  Admission free.

There are two accompanying events.  My Chair takes place on 28, 29 and 30 July 2005 at the Museum of Scotland.  Unleash your design talent and create your own 3D chair design taking inspiration from the exhibition. Free, all ages, drop-in event. 

New Frontiers in Furniture Design on 14 September is a discussion event exploring ideas about the future of furniture design in the 21st century. Presentations by leading designers including winners of the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2004 Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby; as well as Arnout Visser, Colin Burns and Katty Barac. It is taking place at 6.30pm in the Royal Museum Lecture Theatre. Ages 16+, free, booking advisable.  For information on events call 0131 247 4422.