Danielle Brustman
Interior designer Danielle Brustman’s practice extends across her cross-disciplinary skill-set—we step inside her new Collingwood studio and her current exhibition, SPLIT, at Sophie Gannon Gallery.
Photography: Dylan James & Pier Carthew
‘I really enjoy playing with light, reflection and shiny surfaces,’ says Danielle Brustman. Photo: Dylan James
Danielle Brustman’s new studio space in Collingwood, Melbourne. Photo: Dylan James
Lickety Split 2024, (6mm glass mirror on board, powder-coated aluminium frame) by Danielle Brustman. Photo: Pier Carthew
‘I’m loving the high ceilings and warm character of the building. The original bones of the old warehouse have been preserved, re-purposed and brought back to life sustainably and sensitively by Bar Architects and Revival Projects.’ Photo: Dylan James
“I love seeing a design, drawing and idea come to life… the realisation in material and form—it really is a thrill every time.”
SPLIT by Danielle Brustman, currently showing at Sophie Gannon Gallery, is a collection of sculptural wall mirrors derived from a series of personal symbols and recurring design patterns that have been abstracted and halved. Photo: Pier Carthew
Meteorite by Danielle Brustman, designed in collaboration with Edward Linacre, in her new studio space. Photo: Dylan James
SPLIT by Danielle Brustman, currently showing at Sophie Gannon Gallery. Photo: Pier Carthew
Hello Danielle–can you introduce yourself?
Hello, I’m a practicing interior designer and my studio encompasses a broad spectrum of practice, from residential interiors and commercial design for the hospitality, education and retail sectors, along with furniture and lighting design for exhibition and installation. Aside from design, my other main job in life is being mum to Cleo, my 10 year old daughter.
Tell us a little about what you’ve been working on currently…
Design week has been super busy and exciting. I have exhibited a new series of works called SPLIT at Sophie Gannon Gallery and I’ve also presented Meteorite, a collaboration with Edward Linacre, at a new design collective in Collingwood called Useful Object Gallery. Aside from Design Week related stuff, I’ve been working on a very exciting interior design project, an Early Education centre in Sydney called Harbour Early Learning and a retail interior project in Melbourne.
And you just moved into your own studio space… how’s that been?
It’s been wonderful moving into the new Easy Street Building. We’re located in the heart of Collingwood in the beautiful old World Wide Warehouse building, which was originally a wool mill, art studios and then previously home of PBS Radio before it moved to Collingwood Yards. I couldn’t really ask for better neighbours and co-tenants. I’m nestled in between Bar Studio, Agency, Useful Object Gallery, Sarah Scout Gallery and Whale Productons.
What are you loving most about the new space?
I’m loving the high ceilings and warm character of the building. The original bones of the old warehouse have been preserved, re-purposed and brought back to life sustainably and sensitively by Bar Studio and Revival Projects. The natural light in the studio is especially lovely—it’s a lovely place to be and an excellent community of people to be around.
Tell us about your current exhibition, SPLIT, at Sophie Gannon Gallery – what was the main inspiration behind the works?
SPLIT is a collection of sculptural wall mirrors derived from a series of personal symbols and recurring design patterns that have been abstracted and halved. Some parts are missing, others fit together.
Coloured murals accompany the split mirror works and are placed on the opposite facing gallery wall allowing the viewer to see the missing half symbols in an inverted reflection and at a distance offering a new perspective and sense of hope and re-connection. The project talks to broken things, bust ups and altered reunions.
Is this the first time working with glass mirror? Why did you choose this material for these pieces?
This isn’t the first time I’ve worked with mirrored glass, but it’s the first time mirror has been the focus material of a single object. I really enjoy playing with light, reflection and shiny surfaces. What’s interesting to me is the way a mirror can completely alter a space and reveal new spaces within a reflection. In this exhibition we’ve painted a series of shapes that reflect the mirrors in form and colour on the opposite wall, creating added dimensions to the installation and overall narrative of the works.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I love seeing a design, drawing and idea come to life… the realisation in material and form—it really is a thrill every time. I also get to work and collaborate with extraordinary people, which makes the work so enjoyable. It’s also an incredible privilege and honour to present and exhibit my design work in the public rhealm.
What’s your dream design commission?
I’d love to design a hotel. I’ve been fantasising about this for many years and waiting very patiently for the right hotelier client to come along.
What’s next for you this year?
Next up I’m working on a design commission with the Jewish Museum of Australia. I’m also working on a collaboration project addressing the issue of marine waste and plastic debris that washes up in vast quantities across the shores of Northern Australia. I also recently participated in the Rubbish on the Shore think tank, facilitated by Agency Projects, hosted by the Gumatj Clan, in North East Arnhem land.