Lighting as Sculpture: When Illumination Becomes Form.
- Martyna Grabowska
- Jul 13
- 5 min read
Good lighting is non-negotiable for outstanding design. It defines how a space is experienced and how materials are perceived during different times of the day. There is a reason why there is a whole design industry dedicated to lighting design, and when done well, it changes how an entire interior is experienced.
By now, I think we all have been told several times through various social media sources to layer lighting instead of relying on the ‘big light’. While that is absolutely true, for me, lighting doesn’t stop at function. If I could pick a category to source for the rest of my life, it would be lamps. There is something unmatched about an object that is both functional and inherently sculptural, one that can serve as art.
This became especially evident to me when I moved from Australia to Germany. Winters here are long and dark, which shifted my relationship to light. A well-placed lamp doesn’t just illuminate; it creates warmth, rhythm, and a sense of presence within a space. At this point, I am not only talking about the light pattern the lamp emits. That is a whole other chapter.
In my opinion, for an interior to look curated, lamps should serve as pieces of art and have a presence during the day, so they don’t disappear when switched off. Ideally, they occupy a significant amount of space and play with interesting proportions. My favourite designs balance soft and hard materials and are treated as collectible rather than decoration.
When sourcing for clients, I always make sure that the lamps do not only serve a purpose but also elevate the design throughout the day.
Here are four lamps and designers I’ve come across lately that do exactly that.
Treat the pendant like a ceiling sculpture, not just a light source:
Vessels Vespa Pendant – RGB by Nader Gammas.
They say never turn on the big light! But ceiling lights are often underestimated and have the ability to anchor a space.
This pendant does exactly that and resists being purely functional. It draws the eye without overwhelming the room and creates a focal point that feels sculptural without losing playfulness and softness.
This stunning ceiling light immediately takes over the room. Crafted from brass with a soft patina, it creates a contrast with the multi-coloured, handmade glazed ceramic cups, giving the lamp a beautiful visual weight. The cups introduce colour in an intentional way, playing with matte and glossy glazes to introduce depth. Each cup is produced without a mould and shows a unique pattern.
The lamp is part of the Vessel Collection by Nader Gammas and sits within a wider family of floor, table, and wall lights. His work always moves between functionality and sculpture. For Gammas, lighting doesn’t just illuminate, it shapes atmosphere and is the core of an architectural space, therefore playing a fundamental role in shaping emotions. This aspect is making his work tactile and expressive and I love that the most.
Look for lamps with presence during the day: Modular Launay floor lamp by Lana Launay.
This lamp has been on my personal wish list for a while. It was originally designed for an art exhibition and really reads more like an artwork than just a conventional lamp.
The individual elements are each made by hand and can be carefully rearranged, offering more than 20 different configurations, allowing for a composition that feels entirely your own. It feels like an interactive artwork.
For artist Lana Launay, materiality plays a crucial role. For this object, washi papers, wood pulp ribbon, raffia stitch, recyclable acrylic, aluminium, stainless steel, and Australian timbers came together, making it feel delicate and structural at the same time.
Her sensitivity to material and composition stems from a multidisciplinary practice that spans jewellery design, textiles and visual art. This is evident in her work, which balances softness with remarkable precision.
If you are looking to purchase one of these stunning lamps, you need to bring a little patience as only 11 lamps are produced each year, making it even more special.
Sconces should be an architectural gesture, not an afterthought: Ceramic Curtain Sconce V2 by Liyang Studio.
Sconces are a wonderful way to add sculptural objects to your wall and simultaneously shape light in a more nuanced way. They also don’t have to be limited to hardwiring either as there are plenty of plug-in versions available as well, and generally I think that sconces are not used enough here in Germany.
This gorgeous little sconce by Chinese-Canadian architect and artist Liyang Zhang feels playful and elevated at the same time. There is a clear sense of balance between soft and solid materials, which makes it so interesting. Silk curtains fall from a glazed ceramic body, accompanied by small ceramic beads sitting on top and holding the curtain, ready to be moved.
What I love about the sconce is the interaction: the beads can be moved to open or close the silk, subtly adjusting the softness and direction of the light. Depending on how open or closed the curtain is, the beads can be evenly spread or create an interesting irregular pattern. It’s a small gesture, but one that turns the piece into something more tactile and so much more fun.
These wonderful lamps can be purchased via Liyang Zhang directly or Liken Studios.
Material contrast and scale make a lamp feel more collectible : THE MOTHER by Known Work.
I stopped scrolling immediately when I came across THE MOTHER by Known Work. The New York-based studio, founded by Danu Kennedy and Jeremy Levitt, has a remarkable understanding of scale and proportion.
Their work often balances strict geometry with softer, tactile materials in a way that feels both architectural and emotional.
The entire collection is compelling, but THE MOTHER feels particularly distinct. It fills a space I did not quite realise was missing within contemporary lighting. Long panels of embroidered ivory linen hang from a square bronze structure, creating a striking contrast between sharp lines and the softness of the textile. The lace falls all the way to the floor, visually grounding the chandelier and giving the piece a sense of monumentality.
What makes the piece even more interesting is the narrative behind it. THE MOTHER was inspired by the idea of the mother as a family unit, exploring themes of lineage, heirlooms and inherited memory. Despite its scale, there is something deeply intimate about it.
The piece is also available through Love House.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement, and I am not sponsored by any of these brands. I just love to share beautiful work. Enjoy! All image rights belong to the cited brands.
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