For Cesar Cueva and Daniel Narvaez, the two talented designers and artists behind The Future Artifact tell a great story and that bleeds into the way they speak about their new venture.
“It is a hybrid space,” Cesar tells me. “Part photography studio, gallery, consultation showroom.” They will also be building a workshop for designing. The Future Artifact is a space for Cesar and Daniel’s work but also for other creatives too. Artist Fealofani Elisara will also be collaborating and working within the space too as she works between Sydney and the Illawarra.
Cesar and Daniel invite others to The Future Artifact as a space for them too. As a shop for their designs and art, Daniel tells me, “We have always looked at how we can enhance the buying experience, not just selling, but encompassing what consumer wants, what the customer wants.” Their love for their art and curating a tailored experience begins from a young age.
Cesar and Daniel tell me about their humble beginnings from family friends to business partners. Perhaps it is a sign of the fortuitous fate that would follow these two that Cesar was there the day that Daniel was born. But their serendipitous interconnection does not end there.
“It’s a funny story,” explains Cesar. “When I graduated high school, I studied industrial design, and as I was leaving that degree, Daniel was walking into the same degree. Literally walking into the interview that same day.” Following this, Cesar continued to work in the arts industry opening his first gallery and studio in Surry Hills, called Metalab Studio + Gallery, with his wife and business partner Nina. They ran it for 16 years before they decided to close.
“We come from an upbringing where both our parents were toolmakers, and both our fathers were friends as well, which is amazingly bizarre in its own right.
But you may already be familiar with Cesar and Nina’s work, in 2022 alongside Chick Butcher and Cobi Cockburn, they founded Sevenmarks Gallery in Kiama as a regional Contemporary Art Gallery.
Before this though, Cesar tells me when him and his wife were operating Metalab they had many creatives and studio-based artists who would come and do internships with them. “Dan was one of those people who very early on did a loose internship, really” Cesar tells me. “He got involved pretty quickly in the front house and then he conceptualised what is now his business – Mister Mister. Daniel tells me that Cesar helped him open his first store and then, miraculously, they ended up becoming neighbours, they had stores right next to each other. 10 years later, Cesar and Daniel have found themselves, just a little bit closer – under the same roof.
Daniel and Cesar talk with passion and a hint of nostalgia when it comes to their work.
Daniel says, “We are very aware that it’s important for us to be sustainable, that’s why we focus specifically on custom made, so that customer gets exactly what they want. And it’s important for us to choose really great materials – that’s what The Future Artifact as a concept is. Tailoring is a very structured, beautiful language, and it’s existed for hundreds of years.”
He tells me about his latest collection – a two-piece suit but also an ode to Australian workwear, an ode to his father. “We come from an upbringing where both our parents were toolmakers, and both our fathers were friends as well, which is amazingly bizarre in its own right.”
Cesar tells a related story, “The reason why I became a jewellery designer was because when I was 13, my father gave me his signet ring, and I was enamoured by this signet ring that had his initials on it.” He tells me that they plan to launch a product at The Future Artifact based on letter form rings because, as Cesar shares, they tell “a story about your childhood life.”
Individuality marks a significant part of Cesar and Daniel’s work. “It’s important to have that dialogue with the client, because if they’re invested in the collaboration, then they will imbue the piece with more than the precious metals it’s made up of,” says Cesar. “Once we have those discussions and go on that journey together, then that piece will be destined to become their own.”
Daniel shares a similar sentiment, “Clothing becomes a language to the person, and often the person doesn’t know what they’re trying to say. So, my job is to try and bring that character and that personality out of the individual and allow them to speak through what their clothes. And what more beautiful way to tell everyone who you are by what you’re wearing?”
When I ask them why Port Kembla is the perfect home for The Future Artifact, their answers brim with excitement. “There’s this vibrancy that’s occurring on this street, it’s palpable. It’s got its own pulse. And the fact that we have been given the privilege to be here at this time is really beautiful.”
The suburb is pumping – festivals and eateries and new businesses are opening every day
“The suburb is pumping – festivals and eateries and new businesses are opening every day.” Cesar remarks, “Wentworth Street is in the midst of a reinvention, and so we very excited to be part of that. We understand that we’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re here for it.”
With this spirit, there is a promising future for Cesar and Daniel in Port Kembla. Daniel says, “We hope to become part of the street’s new DNA. To me, it’s important for us to continue these traditions, traditional methods of manufacture. Handmade things are important.”
Just as it has been for Cesar and Daniel, a fortunate alignment awaits you at The Future Artifact. With 35 years of experience between the two artists, you’ll be in good hands.
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