An extraordinary lamp design by celebrated artist and furniture maker, David Trubridge, has drawn attention to the possibilities offered by new biomaterials. His lamp is constructed from a composite material developed specifically for this project using bioplastic (polylactic acid) and harakeke fibre (New Zealand flax). The new material, developed in a partnership between Scion and the BioPolymer Network (www.biopolymernetwork.com) demonstrates the beauty and pliability of bioplastics combined with natural fibres. The lamp design, named Tipu, stands two metres in diameter. It was unveiled at the prestigious Hawke's Bay Invitational Art Exhibition and sold on the first night.