For the first time in his 20-year career, furniture and object designer Trent Jansen can see all the threads of his work coming together in one exhibition.

The University of NSW lecturer is showcasing ‘Two Decades of Design Anthropology’ at Collingwood gallery Useful Objects, reflecting on a journey that began in his hometown, Kiama.

“It's nice to, for the first time, see all of those works from so many years and so many projects in one space and to be able to kind of connect the dots,” said Trent.

“To better understand my practice, to better understand the consistent elements, the things that are kind of coming up again and again, or maybe the things that have died away”.

Trent Jansen: Two Decades of Design Anthropology exhibition at Useful Objects. Photo: Tobias Titz. Courtesy of Useful Objects, Melbourne.

Some of these dots trace back to Kiama High School, where pivotal experiences helped shape the trajectory that would make him one of Australia’s most innovative designers.

It was here, in John Shoebridge and Cathy Russell’s Aboriginal studies class, that Trent encountered the Indigenous stories that would become central to his practice.

“I got a really strong foundation in Indigenous history and politics from that course,” he said.

“That was the starting point for me to come to know more about that history and politics, but also to stoke a bit of a fire of interest in those subjects, those cultures, those ways of living and ways of being”.

Now based in Thirroul, Trent has built an international reputation in design; creating objects that embody cultural narratives and stories, with his work being an intersection of art, design and storytelling.

Central to his practice are multi-year collaborations with First Nations artists including Johnny Nargoodah, Vicki West, Errol Evans, and Tanya Singer. Trent highlights that these collaborations can take two to four years to develop, often spending time in each other's communities and with families.

“These become important personal relationships too, so the integrity of the approach is crucial,” said Trent.

“My intention is always to sort of generate this true kind of cultural exchange, so that there's a sharing of everything."

One piece in the Melbourne exhibition that is particularly notable is the Briggs Family Tea Service, created in collaboration with Vicky West.

The porcelain and copper tea set, covered in native materials such as wallaby pelt, now sits in the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection.

“That one has a really kind of special place for me,” Trent said.

“It was a real kind of shift into working with First Nations narratives and working collaboratively with First Nations artists”.

Trent Jansen , Briggs Family Tea Service, from the Broached Colonial collection, 2011. Photo: Scottie Cameron. Courtesy of Useful Objects, Melbourne.

For local audiences who missed the Melbourne exhibition, there is good news, Trent is finalising agreements to bring the exhibition to Studio ALM in Potts Point, Sydney this August.

The Melbourne exhibition was special for Trent as it was the first opening his daughter had ever attended.

“She has this real interest in design now, and she was really excited to go”.

Having been celebrated as part of Melbourne Design Week 2025, Trent’s work continues to cement his design reputation both nationally and internationally.