Photo by Max Creasy

Liliana Ovalle is a London-based designer from Mexico, working at the intersection of design, craft and design research. Liliana studied Industrial Design at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, followed by an MA at the Royal College of Art in London.

Her design work spans furniture, objects, and installation commissions for institutions and brands, including MAXXI Museum, Ikea, Nodus, and AHEC Europe, as well as independent projects, including collaborations with Cooperativa 1050°.

Ovalle incorporates a wide range of materials and processes in her work, paying special attention to handmade elements. Her objects reflect different narratives that often draw on her Mexican background, exploring different making cultures — from referencing situations observed in the urban context to experimenting with vernacular craft techniques.

Her work has been featured internationally across established institutions and galleries, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museo Franz Mayer (Mexico City), the Museum of Arts and Design (New York), Gallery Libby Sellers, (London) and Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (Mexico City). Some of her pieces are part of the permanent collections of these institutions.

Alongside her studio work, Liliana has 15 years of experience in practice-based research at the Interaction Research Studio, designing objects and devices that explore playful approaches to technology and developing inventive research methods across multiple RCUK-funded projects.

She is currently pursuing a PhD at Goldsmiths, University of London, in collaborative practices between traditional craft and design. Her research and lecturing activities include Goldsmiths University, Central Saint Martins, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Northumbria University, amongst others.


Museum’s Permanent Collections
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (Fragment of a Staircase)
Centre National des Arts Plastiques, France (Colour Me Red)
Museum of Arts and Design, New York (Sinkhole Vessels)
Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico City (Mugroso Sofa)


Awards
Designer of the Year, Mexico Design Fair, Puerto Escondido 2021.
Traditional Craft Design Award by Beijing Design Week, 2019.
Talents à la Carte 2015, awarded by Maison & Objet, Paris, 2015.
Clara Porset Special Furniture Award, by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2008
British Council Talent Recognition, 2006
La Colección Jumex Grant, México, 2005.


Studies
2018 - Present
PhD in Design, Goldsmiths University of London.

2004 - 2006 
MA Design Products, Royal College of Art, London.

1995 - 2000
Bachelor with Major in Industrial Design. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Graduated with Honours.

2000
Erasmus Exchange Program at Les Ateliers, École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle, Paris.

Exhibitions

2026

  • La historia de cómo sentarse. Curated by Ana Elena Mallet. Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo MUAC, Mexico City.

2025

  • Craft Front & Centre: Conversation Pieces. Museum of Arts and Design, New York.

2024

  • Gestos y Objetos. Diseño y Ritualidad. Museo de Arte de Zapopan, Zapopan.

2022

  • Conversation Pieces: Contemporary Furniture in Dialogue. SF MoMA, San Francisco.

  • Diseño en Femenino: México 1940-1922. Curated by Ana Elena Mallet. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City.

  • Disonancia Mexicana. Curated by delaO Design Studio. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City.

  • Una Modernidad Hecha a Mano: Diseño Artesanal en México, 1952-2022. Curated by Ana Elena Mallet. Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo MUAC, Mexico City.

2021

  • The Unboxing Show. Curated by Peter Marigold. Coal Drops Yard, London.

2019

  • Prototypes & Experiments XI. Aram Gallery, London.

2018

  • Colección de momentos: Diseño en México 1999-2015. Curated by Cecilia León de la Barra. Museo Universitario del Chopo, Mexico City. 

2017

  • Local Icons. Urban Landscapes: North-South. Curated by Domitilla Dardi and Giulio Cappellini. MAXXI Museum, Rome.

  • Talisman, Contemporay Symbolic Objects. Exhibition presented by In Residence, and curated Barbara Brondi y Marco Raino. Palazzo Clerici, Milan.

2016

  • Climactic: Post Normal Design. Curated by Katherine Moline. Miller Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

  • Nuevos Territorios. Laboratorios de Diseño, Artesanía y Arte En América Latina. Museo Amparo, Puebla.

  • Silla Mexicana: Diseño e identidad. Curated by Ana Elena Mallet. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City. 

  • Slow. Curated by Alice Liechtenstein. Schloss Hollenegg for Design, Graz.

  • Being Popular. Side Gallery, Barcelona.

  • Open Fires. Great Design Gallery, Paris. 

2015

  • México Muestra Diseño, Museo Francisco Goitia, Zacatecas.

  • Open Fires. Brompton Design District, London.  

  • Selected'15. Graz Design Month. Graz.  

  • Presenze. Spazio Ex Verniciature Allestimenti Porta Nuova, Milan. 

  • Make Yourself Comfortable at Chatsworth, Chatsworth House.

  • Talents à la Carte. Maison & Objet, Paris.

2014

  • New Territories: Laboratories for Design, Craft and Art in Latin America. Curated by Lowery Stokes Sims. Museum of Art and Design, New York.

  • The Soft House. Between Art and Design. Curated by Inventario. Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan.

  • Five. An exhibition commissioned by AHEC and Clerkenwell Desgin Week. Scin Gallery, London. 

  • Desiderabilia. An exhibition by In Residence. Ventura Lambrate, Milan. 

  • De Ida y Vuelta. Centro Nacional de las Artes, Mexico City.

  • Anfora Studio Collection 2014. Zona Maco, Mexico City.

2013

  • Grandmateria III. Gallery Libby Sellers, London. 

  • Loose Thread. With Okay Studio & Friends. London Design Festival, 2013.

  • Hecho en MX. Mujeres en el Diseño. Museo Tamayo, Mexico City. 

  • Craft & Drawing. Depot Basel, Basel.

2012

  • Another Terra . Ventura Interieur / Biennal Interieur 2012, Kortrijk.

  • Vera Chapter Two. Brompton Design District. London Design Festival 2012.

  • Elément(s), Maison & Object, Paris.

  • Craft & Scenography, Depot Basel. 

  • The Chroma Season, curated by Barbara Brondi and Marco Rainò. Plusdesign Gallery, Milan.

  • Another Terra, a project by IN Residence. Lambrate, Milan. 

  • Destination Mexico. MoMa Store, New York. 

2011

  • Straordinario. Secondme Gallery + Plusdesign, Rome. 

  • Methods of Imitation. Brompton Design District. London Design Festival 2011.

  • Innovating Tradition. Nodus Collection 2011, Milan. 

  • Garden AT Home. Lambrate, Milan.

2010

  • The Visitor. Okay Studio and Friends. London Design Festival 2010.

  • Variability. Brompton Design District. London Design Festival 2010.

  • Ten Small Atlases: Ten Processes Behind Ten Objects. Lambrate, Milan.

  • Plusdesign 2010 Limited Edition Collection. Plusdesign Gallery, Milan.

  • Rethinking tradition: contemporary design from Mexico. Mexican  Embassy, Washington D.C.

2009 

  • Call out to the Americas: Latin America!, Design Miami.

  • Over design over. Rocca Paolina, Perugia. Italy.

2008

  • Changing dimensions. Brompton Design District, London Design Festival.

  • Plusdesign 2008 Limited Edition Collection. Plusdesign Gallery, Milan.

  • Transit Cases: Chairs from Mexico. Curated by Jimena Acosta. Traveling exhibition. Centro Cultural Tlatelolco, Mexico City. Mexican Embassy, Berlin.

  • 2007 Casa Decor UK. Covent Garden, London Design Festival.

2006

  • Talent,. Paul Smith Space, Tokyo.

  • SuperDesignMarket. Curated by Scarlett Projects and the Arts Council, The Overhang, London

  • Generation. Royal College of Art Graduate Show, London.

  • IntimacyCity. Design Mai, Berlin.

  • Talent. British Council, Milan.

  • Made by Machine. Zeus Gallery, Milan.

  • De cambios e intercambios (Import-Export). Museo Franz Mayer-British Council, Mexico.