Establishing a career as one of Australia’s foremost design professionals, Simone LeAmon works to elevate the value of design for the enrichment of people, society, culture and the environment. She has worked internationally for two (and a bit) decades as an artist, industrial designer, curator, industry consultant and university lecturer.
Amplifying the role of designers in the public domain, LeAmon was appointed the inaugural Hugh Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2015. The NGV’s Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture is the first of its kind for an art gallery in Australia. Launched in 2015, the Department spearheads the NGV’s vision to become a leading international proponent for design.
Reflecting the full diversity of her curatorial and creative practice, LeAmon established design studios: n+1 equals, 1999-2003; and, Simone LeAmon Design and Creative Strategy, 2003-2015. Her protean inventiveness has been applied to a vast array of commercial and cultural production, including: speculative design; product and furniture; interior design; jewellery; and, sculpture. Outcomes frequently blend ingenuity and a meticulous sense of craftsmanship with her trademark flash of wit.
LeAmon’s work has appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including: Unexpected Pleasures, Design Museum London, in 2012; The Cecily and Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award, National Gallery of Victoria, in 2009 (Award Winner); Freestyle: New Australian Design for Living, Triennale di Milano, in 2008; Anytime Soon, 1000 Eventi Milano, in 2005; Quiet Collision, Viafarini Gallery Milano; and, MOTO Showroom,Gertrude Contemporary Arts Spaces, Melbourne, in 2003. Included in the Phaiden press 2007 publication &fork her work has been profiled in notable international titles: Surface Asia (SGP), Interni (ITA) Mood (ITA), L’ Arca (ITA), Intramuros (FRA), Mezonin (RUS), Indesign (AUST), Inside (AUST) and Curve (Australia).
Receiving her Bachelor of Fine Art (Sculpture) from Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne in 1993; and, Masters of Design (Industrial Design) from RMIT University, Melbourne in 2004, LeAmon has lectured since 1999 at RMIT University, Monash University, Swinburne University, Box Hill Institute (Australia); and, Princess Nora University, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. LeAmon is Adjunct Professor in the School of Design at RMIT University.