18 Oct 2025 By architectureau
Accommodation Philadelphia introduces
The Australian Design Centre (ADC) has announced the winners of the 2025 Make Award, Australia's most significant non-acquisitive prize celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design. With a $35,000 first prize and $10,000 second prize, the biennial award honours excellence across disciplines including ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, metal, furniture and fibre.
Now in its second iteration, the 2025 Make Award attracted 197 entries from artists, craftspeople and designer-makers across the country.
Taking out first prize was Cinnamon Lee for NOCTUA - a hybrid object that fuses jewellery and lighting. At once brooch, sculpture, lamp and performance, NOCTUA pairs the permanence of metal with the ephemerality of light. The wearable brooch component pays tribute to the unassuming Bogong moth, evoking both natural beauty and theatrical transformation.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the 2025 Make Award. This recognition holds great significance - not only as a celebration of my contribution to contemporary craft and design, but also as an acknowledgement of a long and evolving practice," said Lee.
Second prize was awarded to South Australian designer Jake Rollins for SOFA1, a striking piece constructed from 3,744 golf balls and tensioned cord. Part of his GolfWeave series, the work uses triaxial weaving techniques to craft a sculptural, human-scale seat - an unexpected yet functional fusion of craft and engineering.
Highly commended went to artist-jeweller Roseanne Bartley for A Poetry of Rings: The Mulga Alphabet. Working with Mulga (Acacia aneura) wood for the first time, Bartley hand-carved a series of rings that reflect cultural significance while expanding her material and technical language.
An exhibition of all 36 finalist works is now on display at the Australian Design Centre in Darlinghurst running from 10 October to 19 November 2025.
Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.
copyright © 2025 Accommodation Philadelphia. All rights reserved.