Material Tales Claimed

As we face the realities of the Earth’s limited resources, designers and users alike are seeking greater clarity around how objects are made, and at what material cost. What materials go into the objects that define our day to day lives? And how have material innovations changed the way that we live today?

Material Tales is an exploration of the incredibly diverse world of materials, sharing the stories behind some of the everyday masterpieces that populate our lives. Showcasing both familiar and highly specialised materials, the exhibition showcases their provenance, histories, functions and sensibilities in a bid to encourage greater material literacy for all.

From the first example of mass-produced furniture, to an early experiment in using recycled plastics, the exhibition will explore the materials that have defined modern life, and how we might learn to make better use of them in future.