&cDisp=& &tDisp=The emotional and physical dialogue present in Elliat Rich's work represents an elegant insignia for a philosophy of the sustainable, juxtaposing the value of psychological and material comfort and reflecting on the interdependence of people and place. Seeking to express feelings of connection and experience between people, Rich's design is often associated with simple pleasures. Subtly symbolic, her work enhances emotional experiences and emerges from a desire to share these, rather than a fixed intention to produce a design object. The Yala sofa was inspired by watching how local aboriginal people engage and enjoy each other's company whilst digging up the Yala bush potato, a rich source of bush food for the people living in the harsh central desert of Australia. The social opportunities afforded by the activity are celebratory and indicated by the plant's flowering. After leaving the Yala sofa, remnant warmth of the body activates images of glowing Ipomoea flowers as a reminder of intimacy and comfort. They become a symbol for empathy reflecting a connectedness with the Pintupi people who share similar company.&