What We Keep
‘David Jones and Powerhouse frame, elevate and tell stories through objects, just in different contexts. The cabinet became a way to hold those ideas together through display, concealment and preservation.’
I’m Tom Skeehan, founder of SKEEHAN Studio. We work across furniture and product design, partnering with brands on commercial projects as well as more conceptual and cultural work.
I was drawn to this commission for the chance to work between two institutions that have shaped design culture in Australia: David Jones as tastemaker and Powerhouse as custodian of design, making and industry. These opportunities are rare, especially for a designer wanting to contribute something to that legacy.
Concept
When I began researching the histories of David Jones and Powerhouse, an overlap between retail and museum emerged. Both frame, elevate and tell stories through objects, just in different contexts. I wanted to create a work that could live in our homes and still speak to both worlds. Everything kept pulling me back to a cabinet.
