POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

Roger McLay [1922-2000] developed the Kone chair in 1948 and put it into limited production in 1948. It was put into commercial production by Descon who were based in Brookvale, Sydney. Descon produced the chair from the mid 1950s until 1960. Light and versatile the 'Kone' epitomised new post-war attitudes with its simple practical design and unusual materials. Buyers could also choose a chenille or cushioned tweed cover for greater comfort. The 'Kone' chair was awarded the 'Good Design' label by the Society of Interior Designers in 1950. The 'Kone' chair range, including a table, was first conceived and put into production as an in-house project in McLay's Gloucester Street studio. McLay advised 'One of the few materials of consistant quality and supply at the time was a high quality coachwood 'seaply' made by the Roseberry Veneer Co and sold by Cemac of Mascot. This was a stockpiled remnant of earlier aircraft and military component manufacture'. Born in Sydney, Roger McLay was apprenticed as an artist to greeting card manufacturers John Sands, aged 15. At the same time he studied painting and drawing at East Sydney Technical College under Charles Meere, William Dobel and Noel Kilgour. During WWII he enlisted with the RAAF and had four years active service as an air gunner in Europe and North Africa. McLay worked as freelance designer from 1946 onwards in Sydney and London. He was an extremely versatile practitioner working in steel, glass, wood, acrylic, aluminium stone and concrete. Executing commissioned designs in graphics, exhibition, manufactured products including furniture, heavy engineering and landscape design (graduate Ryde School of Horticulture). McLay had excellent technical skills and could construct as well as conceive his designs.