Why these colourful yet divisive ceramics are back in fashion

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With its bold patterns and bright colours, Memphis is certainly a divisive design period. Some can’t get enough of it while others, who lived through the 1980s, are keen to forget it.

But whether you love or loathe the Memphis movement – named after a song by Bob Dylan and founded by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass at the start of the 1980s – its popularity, as well as its value, has certainly grown recently. Fashion houses such as Dior and Missoni have also shown recent collections inspired by this relatively short-lived period.

With its bold patterns and bright colours – such as in this Cucumber vase by Martine Bedin – Memphis is certainly a divisive design period.Credit: Mobilia

One collector who is an avid fan of the Memphis movement, as well as the broader 20th century, is architect John Henry. He’s been collecting significant furniture and objects for decades, many of which are designed by prominent architects – he has approximately 2000 chairs alone.

Henry’s ceramic collection includes pieces by American architect Robert Venturi, as well as an impressive representation of architect Michael Graves, also American. Henry has Graves’ Disney plates, cups and saucers from the 1980s decorated with a silhouette of Mickey Mouse.

Henry’s vases by Graves, also from the ’80s, are as graphic, at least in form if not colour. Evocative of the shape of an ionic column, these vases now come with a price tag of $5000. “That’s if you can find one of them,” says Henry.

Other prized Memphis ceramics in his collection include a number designed by Ettore Sottsass, some with clashing primary colours such as yellow, blue, grey, black and red, all in the one piece.

“Until the late 1970s, designers were still wedded to clean and minimal lines. And then Graves’ 1982 Portland Building in Oregon became a focus,” says Henry, pointing to his many Graves objects and artefacts that come with an architectural silhouette.

While Henry has his Memphis ceramics arranged in his warehouse-style home, those who want to see an extensive collection of Memphis furniture, lighting, objects and even rugs can visit Mobilia, a retailer that specialises in this period – either in their Richmond or Perth showrooms or in Sydney, which is expected to open towards the end of this year.

Owner Salvatore Fazzari enjoys seeing Memphis ceramics displayed on classic pieces such as the “Carlton” bookshelves, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981. But he also appreciates how these ceramics enliven a fairly neutral space, adding vibrant colour to a room.

The Clesitera vase, designed by Sottsass in 1986, has a retail price of $2600.Credit: Mobilia

In Mobilia’s range of ceramics, there’s the Clesitera vase, designed by Sottsass in 1986, as well as his Euphrates vase, circa 1983 and with a retail price of $2600 (includes GST). For those seeking something not as expensive, there’s the Carrot vase, priced at $722 (includes GST) designed by Nathalie Du Pasquier, one of the few women who were part of the Memphis movement.

“Many of the pieces are more like a sculpture rather than actually being functional,” says Fazzari, who loves the way these ceramics, such as the Cucumber vase by Martine Bedin, make a room “pop”.

“These designers were inspired by some of the radical art movements from the 1960s, with many pieces offered in simply black and white that exaggerate their silhouette,” adds Fazzari. He sees these designs as evoking emotion as well as combining unusual materials, including glass, ceramic and laminates in one piece.

Rebecca Stormont, Modern Design Specialist at Leonard Joel Auctioneers, certainly doesn’t see the Memphis period as being “polite”.

“It’s not for everyone, but the prices for Memphis have been increasing over the last eight to 10 years,” says Stormont, referring to a Cucumber vase by Martine Bedin that sold for $1900 plus buyer’s premium in 2021, and an Ettore Sottsass vase which was sold in mid-2022 for $1200 plus buyer’s premium.

“Each collector looks for different Memphis pieces but many gravitate to the name Sottsass,” says Stormont. She sees the popularity of this period increasing in line with the attraction to fashion from the 1980s.

“We’ve experienced quite neutral, quite vanilla interiors for some time, and I think people are starting to enjoy being surrounded by colour, even if that colour comes from a graphic Memphis ceramic, placed against a white-painted wall.”

• Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Stephen Crafti is a specialist in contemporary design, including architecture, furniture, fashion and decorative arts.

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