Clarence Prize for Furniture Design

Clarence City Council is thrilled to announce the 2023 winner of the prestigious acquisitive $20,000 Clarence Prize, Patrick Adeney, for his piece Winslow Armchair.

Expertly crafted from Tasmanian blackwood, danish paper cord, and brass, the Winslow Armchair was selected from a shortlist of fifteen finalists who were invited to present their realised designs for exhibition and judging at Rosny Barn.

Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley officially announced Patrick as the winner of the 2023 Prize to a capacity crowd on Thursday 14 September at the Official Opening Event held at Clarence City Council’s historic Rosny Barn.

Two additional non-acquisitive prizes were also awarded to worthy recipients. The non-acquisitive $1500 Highly Commended Prize to Liam Starcevich for his Rhobie Dresser, and the non-acquisitive $1500 Emerging Designer Prize to Melvin Josy for the Vallum Seat.

The Clarence Prize is a biennial exhibition and is the nation’s richest acquisitive furniture design prize. Launched in 2007, the Prize attracts entrants from around Australia thanks to its impressive prize pool, with a record 47 entrants this year. The Prize has a reputation in the design industry for demonstrating the breadth and diversity of contemporary Australian furniture design and making.

The 2023 Clarence Prize was judged by the Head of Furniture at the Australian National University School of Art and Design, 2022 NGV Australian Furniture Design Winner, and 2021 Clarence Prize winner Ashley Eriksmoen, and award-winning design retailer Lucy Given from LUC Design.

The 2023 Clarence Prize Exhibition showcasing the incredible honour roll of finalists from all around the country, as well as all of the winning pieces, is now open to the public from Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm until Sunday 15 October at Rosny Barn.