A Quiet Command – The Fereday Ottoman by Tom Fereday and the Art Gallery of New South Wales

With restraint and poise, Tom Fereday recently collaborated with the iconic Art Gallery of New South Wales on an ottoman seating collection for the entire gallery.

Created over two years, the Fereday Ottoman and Lounge were formed through collaboration – a shared vision for creating a seating collection to complement the expansive spaces and extraordinary artwork that adorns the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Set throughout the entire public gallery area, 35 unique ottomans and lounges were produced. Each ottoman edition is stamped with a unique number, sanctioning scope for future collaborative editions.

Created over two years, the Fereday Ottoman and Lounge were formed through collaboration – a shared vision for creating a seating collection to complement the expansive spaces and extraordinary artwork that adorns the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales

Tom Fereday is fascinated by the dynamic tensions emitted within the interplay of natural materials, contemporary design and innovative manufacturing. Tom was born in Australia and grew up in London. Reflecting this background, there is an international sophistication to his work that stems from a holistic approach permeated with modern interpretation and a fresh discourse on functionality.

The collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales was inspired by the grandeur of the gallery’s architecture and symbolises a celebration of craftsmanship, from the locally sourced materials through to each piece’s local manufacturing by expert artistry. Made entirely in Sydney, the collection is built upon an angular, solid timber frame – embedding an elegance and refinement into each clean line design. The timber frame is crafted using Australian spotted gum and is finished with a sleek handcrafted aniline leather seat.

The collection successfully balances the precarious line between old and new, situating itself within the gallery space without competing for attention.

Through considered design, the Fereday Ottoman and Lounge are conscious of their location and functionality within the space. The collection successfully balances the precarious line between old and new, situating itself within the gallery space without competing for attention.