SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – The Art of French designer Jean-Claude Duboys is being presented in Australia for the very first time at Design Show Australia 2026, held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). This Australian premiere marks the culmination of an extraordinary family adventure dedicated to preserving, reviving and sharing the legacy of an exceptional creator.
Jean-Claude Duboys possessed a distinctive design language. His furniture reflects the originality of his personality and creative vision. His works are immediately recognisable through their elegant proportions, structural clarity and unique combination of lightness, functionality and refinement.
More than an exhibition, this presentation represents the culmination of a remarkable family project. Following the passing of Jean-Claude Duboys, his family undertook an extensive effort to preserve his archives, drawings, creations and documents. Over time, this initiative evolved into a genuine family adventure, bringing together several generations around a shared mission: ensuring that his work continues to inspire future audiences.
Jean-Claude Duboys was not a designer like any other. Creative, visionary and committed to the pursuit of simplicity, beauty and functionality, he devoted his life to designing furniture that was comfortable, lightweight, foldable, multifunctional and crafted from noble materials.
Originally from Limoges, France, he left behind a family tradition of engineering to attend the prestigious National School of Decorative Arts in Paris, where he graduated at the top of his class. Among the distinguished alumni of the school are Charles Garnier, Henri Matisse and Auguste Rodin.
Throughout his career, Duboys developed a unique design language based on intelligent functionality, elegant forms and simple solutions. His work was exhibited in prestigious institutions including the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. Alongside his professional practice, he taught at the National School of Decorative Arts, influencing generations of designers through both his creations and his teaching.
His work is also held or recorded in public collections and continues to appear through specialised galleries and design platforms, reinforcing the lasting importance of his contribution to twentieth-century French design.
After his passing, his family made the decision to preserve and share his work. Catherine led the initiative with remarkable determination. Together with Chantal, Christian and many other family members, she preserved plans, sketches, drawings and original pieces, photographed the works, digitised the archives and ensured that this creative heritage would not be lost.
Gradually, what began as a preservation project became a true family adventure.
Many members of the family joined the initiative, each contributing their own expertise and energy. Three of Jean-Claude Duboys’ great-nephews became designers themselves, while a fourth chose a different path.
Born in Sydney and now living in Melbourne, he initially followed the family’s engineering tradition before making a remarkable career change. In the spirit of Jean-Claude’s own life choice, he left engineering to pursue woodworking and furniture making, bringing the family’s connection to design full circle.
To further this mission, Nathalie, France, Christian and Catherine founded the Friends of Jean-Claude Duboys Association, dedicated to preserving his legacy and supporting the rediscovery of his work.
The Australian presentation was initiated by Patrick Duboys, Jean-Claude Duboys’ nephew and godson, who has long been driven by the ambition to introduce his uncle’s work to a wider audience, particularly in Australia. He is joined in this endeavour by his brother Antoine, who lives in Melbourne.
Today, this family adventure reaches a historic milestone with the presentation of Jean-Claude Duboys’ creations at Design Show Australia.
A First for Australia
“This exhibition represents two achievements that are deeply meaningful to us,” said Patrick Duboys. “It is the first time Jean-Claude Duboys’ work has been presented in Australia, and it is also the culmination of a family adventure that has brought together several generations around a shared commitment to preserve and pass on his creative legacy.”
Visitors to Design Show Australia will discover a selection of iconic works that reflect Jean-Claude Duboys’ vision of furniture design: innovative, elegant, lightweight and functional. Among the pieces on display is his celebrated Programme A Lounge Chair (1978), which has become one of the most recognisable expressions of his creative approach.
They will also discover the remarkable human story behind the exhibition: a family determined to preserve the legacy of an exceptional creator and share it with new generations around the world.
For the Duboys family, participating in Design Show Australia is far more than an exhibition. It represents the culmination of years of dedication, the fulfilment of a promise and a new chapter in an extraordinary family adventure that now connects France and Australia.
