Who says art has to be limited to just the walls? In the right context, design details like lighting can become artworks in their own right, introducing colour, texture and an expressive quality to interiors that transcends two dimensions. Below, we’ve rounded up five sculptural light fixtures that would feel equally at home in a residential or commercial setting, or a gallery.

1

WOAW by Mr. John’s Goods

For Dubai-based lighting designer Nader Gammas, the toybox served as inspiration for the debut collection of his design brand Mr. John’s Goods. And aptly so: The company seeks to create objects that are approachable and accessible, bringing thoughtful design to a wider audience. To that end, Woaw abstracts the traditional candelabra into quirky tubular steel forms outfitted with one or more ceramic shades. Options range from a minimal single table lamp to the more playful double-single floor lamp, which are all rendered in exuberant colour-blocked combinations spanning nearly the entire rainbow. “Woaw brings a sense of lightness and wonder to everyday objects,” says Gammas. “It’s designed to be lived with — simple, expressive, and unpretentious.” Each model is equipped with a universal plug that is compatible with US, UK and EU outlets for international compatibility and safety. The collection will launch at New York City’s Shelter Design Fair on May 17.

2

Reb Lamp by Normann Copenhagen

When conceiving this unconventional lamp for Normann Copenhagen, German industrial designer Verena Hennig, founder of AKTTEM, envisioned drawing lines of light in a space. The final result — hand-assembled by encasing five or eight LED modules in white PET mesh fabric ­— feels remarkably true to this concept, more akin to an art installation than a typical light fixture. Its name, Reb, translates to rope in Danish.

Wacky and wonderful, the snake-like forms (either 283 or 404 centimetres in length) can be configured and re-configured in myriad ways — from an abstract chandelier to a linear curtain or room divider — using stainless steel rings and powder-coated aluminum ceiling loops; several lamps can be grouped together for an even more theatrical effect. A metal “aglet” at the base doubles as a dimmer, allowing users to set the mood by toggling between three settings. “The Reb Lamp perfectly reflects Normann Copenhagen’s philosophy of clean lines, playful details, and refined craftsmanship,” says Hennig. “Its adaptability and unique tactile qualities make it an ideal choice for spaces that seek both function and character.”

3

Big Glow by Rakumba

Like a blimp that appears to hover in mid-air, Rakumba’s latest collection, launched at Milan Design Week, is characterized by its understated drama. Drawing from their Australian roots and experience living and working in the Netherlands, designers Studio Truly Truly play with scale and materials, riffing on the classic glowing sphere archetype. The pendant’s warm glow is courtesy of its luxurious, soft wool shade, which is combined with plant-derived compostable fibres formulated as bioplastic. The design was informed by extensive research and development, along with technical knowledge from Woolmark. “Wool perfectly embodies the warm and comforting quality we were searching for,” explains Joel Booy, co-founder of Studio Truly Truly. “The fibres have a soft ecru colour, and the glow of the material is genuinely natural as a result. It’s not just a light source; it contributes to a spatial experience.”

In addition to the beautiful light diffusion it provides, the material also offers natural acoustic benefits. But most important is its sustainable properties. Natural, renewable, biodegradable and recyclable, the entire shade can be composted, ensuring that it can return to the earth at the end of its life. Not to mention, the entire wool production process, from growing to assembly, takes place in Victoria, Australia, supporting the local industry while reducing the resource footprint of each piece. “Big Glow is not just a product; it’s a showcase of Australian creativity and a celebration of our heritage”, says Michael Murray, managing director of Rakumba, who himself was raised on a Victorian wool farm. “I’m particularly proud that we’re showcasing the versatility and beauty of Australian wool in such an innovative way.”

4

Gami Collection Expansion by SIN

With their fluid forms rendered in sandy hues, the pieces of the Gami lighting collection by Brooklyn design brand SIN might at first appear to be made of delicately draped linen frozen in place. Up close, their materiality reveals itself: They are, in fact, each fashioned from a single sheet of clay, lending the fixtures both structure and softness. Building on an existing series of sconces, pendants and table lamps, the brand will debut three new iterations at ICFF that feel equally at home in residential and hospitality spaces.

The Shayd pendant, for instance, introduces a French parchment diffuser, which brings newfound lightness to the Gami collection. The Double Shai sconce and Shan flush mount, meanwhile, reinterpret the folded forms of the original line, crafted from the same speckled ceramic stoneware. This sculptural quality is the throughline of the collection, artfully composing light and shadow in perfect balance.

5

Ambrosia by Marset

Sometimes, less is more. Comprised of two simple forms — a svelte metal structure and a tubular LED — what is most striking about Marset’s Ambrosia light is its simplicity. Originally designed for a luxury boutique in Madrid by local studio Ciszak Dalmas, Ambrosia updates the traditional Linestra lamp with new technology and materials.  With two finishes (brass or powder-coated) and four pre-set lengths, and extension poles of up to 72 inches, the modular system can be adapted to fit nearly any space — and can be installed with an included canopy or a remote driver of the client’s choice. Even the colour temperature can be customized, available in 2200K, 2700K and 3000K. The methacrylate diffuser softens the warm glow of the light, which is fully dimmable, helping to set the ambience no matter the setting. Flexible, functional and beautiful, Marset’s Ambrosia light is proof that poetic design need not come at the expense of performance.

For more lighting products, visit our Spec Sheets section.