Michael Hirst

“Michael Hirst designed and manufactured a range of stylish furniture pieces, including tables, chairs and bookcases, throughout a notable but until now under recognised career. He was also commissioned to design one off pieces for clients of well know contemporary furniture outlets, including Andersons and Georges in Melbourne, and the interior designer Marion Hall Best in Sydney. His designs were sold across Australia through leading contemporary home stores of the day and advertised in major journals in the 1950’s and 1960’s.” wrote Peter Atkins, contemporary artist and Meadmore collector.

Hirst was born on January 3, 1917 in Amersham, Buckingham, UK and migrated to Australia in 1923. He was educated at Melbourne Grammar and after a couple of years overseas, 1951-3 went on to self-train in design. Following his return from a visit to London in the 1950’s and after a brief period of employment with Bambra Cabinets in Melbourne, he set up a manufacturing enterprise in East Hawthorn and largely performed all the tasks required to produce items of furniture. At this time he met and collaborated with Clement Meadmore, and commenced a life long friendship. Together they produced the Meadmore Principle Coffee Table and the DC 601A Chair (National Gallery of Victoria)

Hirst was an excellent example of a self trained but passionate furniture designer whose reach and influence was significant. “I was never in the biggest league like Meadmore and Featherston. I’d never been a good promoter of myself….perhaps I should have but I didn’t.” Michael Hirst.

Hirst’s furniture is recognised in a number of collections in Australia today.