Artworks

Max Lamb’s design philosophy is rooted in the simplicity of material manipulation, with actions like cutting, carving, sand casting, moulding, and folding. He believes “the process is communicated in the final object” and that the aesthetic of his designs is a direct result of how they are made, not simply a focus on design itself. Lamb’s work, primarily in furniture but also in ceramics and engineered marble, highlights the tactile relationship between the hand and material. His upbringing in Cornwall, where he was encouraged to solve practical problems through physical engagement with materials, deeply influenced his approach to design.

Lamb’s unique works reflect his ability to merge different hand processes and materials, such as using expanded polystyrene for furniture and finishing them with high-gloss plastic or lacquer. He creates prototypes through direct manipulation, then refines them with fine finishing, like bone china or high-quality lacquer. Despite his talent, Lamb rejects the label of craftsman, emphasizing his strength in making. He collaborates with various craftspeople and industries, adapting his designs to achieve both raw energy and polished production. His furniture and tableware often blend rustic, raw textures with refined surface treatments, creating a dynamic tension between the foundation material and its finishing layers.

Max Lamb works are collected by numerous public institutions around the world, including the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, the Design Museum Gent in Belgium, The Design Museum in London, SFMOMA in San Francisco and the Odunpazarı Modern Museum in Eskişehir, Turkey.