Not currently on display at the V&A

Cactus

Radiator
1992 (designed), 1993-1997 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Paul Priestman studied Industrial Design at Central St. Martins from where he graduated with a BA (Honours) in Industrial Design and then he went on to the Royal College of Art where he studied for a Masters. He founded Priestman Associates when he left the RCA in 1986 and he was joined by Nigel Goode in 1989. Since then the company has become widely known for its innovative product design and has won a number of prestigious awards.

This radiator was featured in the British Design and Art Direction Annual for 1993 and was included in the Rewind exhibition held in the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2002. This exhibition was a celebration of 40 years of the British Design and Art Direction awards and included objects that were award winners as well as objects nominated for an award.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCactus (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Steel, forged and welded
Brief description
"Cactus" radiator. Steel, designed by Paul Priestman in 1992, distributed by Bisque, Italy 1993-7
Physical description
Free standing radiator resting on a slightly domed, circular base which has been given a grey enamel finish. There is a red circular light in the centre to indicate on/off.The radiator is a tall U shaped continuous tube which bends off centre at the middle with a continuous series of circular fins coloured green (for heat distribution). A black flex runs into the base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 164.5cm
  • Diameter: 44.5cm
Credit line
Given by the designer
Historical context
Paul Priestman studied Industrial Design at Central St. Martins from where he graduated with a BA (Honours) in Industrial Design and then he went on to the Royal College of Art where he studied for a Masters. He founded Priestman Associates when he left the RCA in 1986 and he was joined by Nigel Goode in 1989. Since then the company has become widely known for its innovative product design and has won a number of prestigious awards.

This radiator was featured in the british Design and Art Direction Annual for 1993 and was included in the Rewind exhibition heol in the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2002. This exhibition was a celebration of 40 years of the British Design and Art Direction awards and included objects that were award winners as well as objects nominated for an award.
Summary
Paul Priestman studied Industrial Design at Central St. Martins from where he graduated with a BA (Honours) in Industrial Design and then he went on to the Royal College of Art where he studied for a Masters. He founded Priestman Associates when he left the RCA in 1986 and he was joined by Nigel Goode in 1989. Since then the company has become widely known for its innovative product design and has won a number of prestigious awards.

This radiator was featured in the British Design and Art Direction Annual for 1993 and was included in the Rewind exhibition held in the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2002. This exhibition was a celebration of 40 years of the British Design and Art Direction awards and included objects that were award winners as well as objects nominated for an award.
Bibliographic references
  • Design and Art Direction, London, 1993
  • Jeremy Myerson and Graham Vickers, Rewind: 40 years of design and advertising, London, Phaidon, 2002.
Collection
Accession number
M.13-2006

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2008
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