Ron Arad has been awarded the London Design Medal 2011, as part of the London Design Festival. The medal, awarded to Arad at a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral, is given annually to a designer in recognition of a lifetime’s contribution to design and the city. Born in Israel, Arad has been living and working in London since 1973. At the event he said: “I can’t imagine doing whatever it is I do anywhere else in the world.” An important part of the festival calendar, the award is one of the most coveted British design awards. Arad was selected by a judging panel which featured last year’s Medal winner Thomas Heatherwick; Munira Mirza, the Mayor’s advisor for arts and culture; design gallerist Libby Sellers; Nicholas Serota, director of the Tate; and Nadja Swarovski, creative director of Swarovski.

ripple chair for moroso, 2005. click to enlarge

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