Kho Liang Ie: Mid-Century Modernist
From 14 May to 18 October 2026, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam will be hosting the exhibition ‘Kho Liang Ie: Mid-Century Modernist’. It is the first major retrospective in over 50 years and pays tribute to Kho Liang Ie as a defining designer of the 1950s to 1970s, who gained international recognition for his designs for furniture, interiors and graphic art.
Curated by Ingeborg de Roode in collaboration with Eng Bo Kho, the exhibition traces a biographical journey through the designer’s work. Born in Indonesia in 1927 and later educated in the Netherlands, Kho Liang Ie developed a distinctive form of modernism that combines functional clarity with a playful, poetic sensibility. In addition to his creative work, he also shaped the design scene as a networker and mediator, bringing international perspectives to the Netherlands.
A Life Dedicated to Design
Kho Liang Ie's work combines functionalist principles with a sensitive approach to materials and space. He worked for companies such as Artifort and Mosa, developing concepts for furniture, interiors and exhibitions. His designs are characterised by an international perspective that draws on influences from various cultural contexts.
A key project is the design of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, for which he developed a comprehensive concept for interior architecture and wayfinding systems in the 1960s. The aim was to combine functional processes with a clear yet calming spatial design.
A Retrospective of a Multifaceted Body of Work
Spanning all areas of Kho Liang Ie’s creative output, the exhibition brings together over 200 objects and a variety of visual materials. Among the items on display are furniture, interior design concepts, graphic works, and reconstructions of earlier projects. These include parts of the Schiphol design, an Artifort exhibition stand, and elements of a 1971 Stedelijk Museum exhibition. To accompany the exhibition, Jap Sam Books is releasing a monographic publication.
