Anthony Burke, familiar to Australian audiences from Restoration Australia and Grand Designs Australia, returns to ABC with a new series, Culture by Design. This time, the design expert travels across Asia to meet artists and designers tackling global challenges through innovative and sustainable work. The full season lands on ABC iview April 20.
Here’s the Lowdown: Culture by Design follows Anthony Burke as he travels from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to Mumbai, India. He connects with a range of creators – including ceramicists, street artists, fashion designers, architects, and weavers. The series focuses on how these individuals use their skills to develop ethical and forward-thinking designs, addressing issues like climate change, dwindling resources, and social inequality. Burke, a Professor of Architecture, brings his expertise to understanding these creative approaches.
What This Means Now: This series moves beyond just appreciating attractive objects. It looks at the practical application of design thinking to solve pressing contemporary problems. Viewers get a window into the creative scenes of Southeast Asia and India, seeing how cultural context shapes design solutions and how traditional crafts are being adapted for the modern world.
The Bigger Picture: Culture by Design aims to foster understanding between cultures by highlighting the work of visionary designers in Asia. It underscores the idea that creativity can drive positive change globally. For ABC, it represents a commitment to content that looks outward, exploring international innovation through the lens of a trusted Australian presenter. The show premieres its full season on ABC iview on Sunday, April 20, at 2:00 pm AEST.
