Bronwen Main is a multidisciplinary artist and designer working at the intersection of ecology and biomaterial innovation, engaging in furniture, architecture and sculpture. Through her practice, she aims to pave the way for more regenerative practices in urban art, demonstrating how public art projects can foster community and environmental stewardship in shared spaces for both human and non-human. 

Her background is in contemporary art and architecture. Before completing her Master of Architecture at the University of Melbourne, Bronwen studied Contemporary Art in New York and later became an ambassador in the Visitor Experience Team at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During this time, this museum welcomed 7 million visitors annually. This experience transformed Bronwen’s understanding of audience engagement, the accessibility of public art, and the role of arts programming in shaping cities.

Bronwen has lectured and taught design studios, technology, history, and theory at the Melbourne School of Design and the Monash Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture. She has studied at Tianjin University, China, and the Pratt School of Architecture, in Brooklyn. In 2019, she conducted research at the Pratt Consortium for Research and Robotics to explore new modes of creative production utilising New York City’s largest industrial robot. 

Bronwen practiced at Kerstin Thompson Architects and SJB, before starting her own design and artistic practice. Her works have been showcased at the Green Design Show, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Salamanca Arts Centre, Linden New Art Gallery and Melbourne Design Week.


Artist & Designer

Bronwen Main


Bibliography

Email


 Exhibitions & Commissions
Current

Past



“Harvest” Series of Hemp Murals, Green Design Show Melbourne Exhibition Centre (2024)

Hemp Furniture Series

The Main Chair: Furniture Designs for “In Conversation” Series Music VenueHigh Note, Northcote (2023)

Algorithm-aided design: New modes of creative production Pratt Consortium for Research & Robotics, Brooklyn NC (2019)

    At the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and design, the hemp-based furniture represents a holistic approach to creating sculptural, functional, and environmentally responsible products. The collaboration with Australian farmers and innovative manufacturers allows for the production of beautiful, bespoke sculptural furniture items from hemp. This remarkable plant is ready for harvest just three months after being planted, and every part of the hemp plant, including the roots, can be utilized.

    The journey from ‘harvest to home’ enables involvement in the entire manufacturing process, from the plant fiber to the board processing, culminating in the innovative design and construction of furniture. This collaboration fuses bespoke design, master craftsmanship, and a deep reverence for the earth's resources. In doing so, the aim is to inspire a new era of building and living in alignment with our natural environment. By integrating hemp into the furniture and interiors sector, economic potential is unlocked through innovation while paving the way for a sustainable future where environmental stewardship is prioritized.