Closeup of the ballooning shade of the Bougainvillea Lamp
Tubular light filaments glow through the shade of the Starbase Lamp
The narrow footprint of this lamp, designed to stand flat against a wall, supports a fluorescent tube with its sheer fabric hangings
Swizzle-Stix Lamp is formed from a collection of thin rods
Neuf Lamp has tempered glass shelves in the shade which support small art objects
Side-by-side views of Bahama Breeze Lamp show possibilities for its repositionable shades
Three views of the Bougainvillea Lamp from various angles
LAMPS
I create a wide array of unique hand-made floor lamps. Some are limited editions many are one-of-a-kind. The lamps are steel construction with fabric shades. The majority of designs are ultra-modern. Any of these lamps would be right at home in an interior ranging from Art Deco to Mid-century Modern and beyond. They flawlessly compliment Postmodern Memphis style. Most lamps are designed to use display case bulbs as in the example shown opposite.
STARBASE LAMP
powder-coated steel & sheer fabric
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​The Starbase Lamp is named for its base, formed with interlocking angles. A lamp's base is often considered utilitarian and seen as having little to contribute to the overall design. In most cases, attention focuses on the central shaft and the shade. The shape of the base, exhibits a characteristic zigzag motif. The shade is a parallelogram, in the shape of a rhombus and covered in sheer nylon. This allows the filament of the elongated incandescent bulb to glow through the shade. Though the bulbs are high wattage (75 w.) the length of the 11 inch filament reduces the intensity of the light to a pleasing glow. In addition to their sleek ultra-modern design, these lamps add ambiance to any room.
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Dimensions: Height – 82 in Width – 33 in Depth – 22.5 in
Tapestry Lamp
As a child I was fascinated by fluorescent tubes. They were sleek, streamlined and glowing. Unfortunately, they were always confined to heavy, clunky fixtures which masked their streamlined appearance and destroyed their true beauty. I remember being disappointed that these glowing cylindrical rods of pure light were never seen in their purest form. Part of my inspiration for creating this lamp was to “free” a fluorescent tube from the confines of its fixture and “float” it in space.
The lamp itself is a delicate, hanging construction of fabric that supports a fluorescent tube. Due to this, the lamp is named in reference to the way in which decorative fabric is formally displayed on a wall. The lamp has a narrow profile and can stand flush against a wall. Various widths of brilliantly colored sheer fabric, support and shade the fluorescent tube which seems to be suspended in midair. The sheer, closely woven fabric, acts like a colored filter that tints the light.
Elements of the lamp vaguely suggest Western themes. Yet the minimalist symbolism is so vague, any real trace of actual Western form or imagery is virtually gone. Only the slightest hint remains. The upper outline on the top suggests a mesa over which a moon is rising. the cross bar that suspends the fabric might be a flaming arrow, if its symbolic appearance were better defined. At the same time, we might simply shake our heads and shrug off this subliminal impression as a figment of our imagination. The colors that play over the lamp’s surface in hues of orange, red, yellow and violet are redolent of those of a desert sunset.
Dimensions: Height – 75 in. Width – 32.5 in. Depth – 6 in.
SWIZZLE-STIX LAMP
painted steel & fabric or hand-made paper
This versatile art lamp functions as a high-profile table lamp or as a low profile 3/4 floor lamp. On the floor it stands about waist high. The Swizzle-Stix Lamp is formed from a collection of thin steel rods, that crisscross one another and fan out from their center. The rods which flare apart on the top and bottom, create an open framework. The lamps' construction is reminiscent of a bundle of sticks used as a torch, gathered together in the center and used as a torch.
This lamp’s outstanding characteristic features a group of interchangeable geometric forms that are interlaced through the rods to act as shades. The Triangular forms can be rearranged in various configurations and at various angles at a moment’s notice which causes the overall character and profile of the lamp to continuously change. Due to the thinness of the supporting rods the lamp gives an ethereal impression as it seems to float delicately above the surface on which it rests.
Dimensions: Height – 48 in. Width – 2 in. Depth –12 in.
NEUFLAMP
powder-coated steel, parachute fabric, tempered glass
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The oversized trapezoidal shade is one of the most striking features of the "Neuflamp.” Unlike the shades on most traditional lamps, this shade is functional. Very little of this shade is employed in shielding light. The main function of this shade is to act as a shelf for showcasing small art objects. Tempered glass shelves are incorporated into the shade to provide a solid surface for display. The Neuflamp is strongly reminiscent of designs seen in the 1950’s and 60’s. It reminds me of a box kite.
Dimensions: Height – 80 in. Width – 21in. Depth – 12 in
Bahama Breeze Lamp
painted steel & fabric
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This floor lamp has adjustable shades which can be repositioned to suit the room or the occasion. The two shades are reminiscent of semaphore flags or sails on a boat. Each shade is heavy gage steel and is supported by a single ring that circles the central shaft of the lamp. Both shades swivel 350° on their support.
The shades may be positioned so that they fully cover, partially cover or flank the single filament T-11 bulb.
Dimensions: Height – 74 in. Width – 20 in. Depth – 20 in.
THE WOMAN'S LAMP
painted steel & fabric
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The Woman’s Lamp is suffused with symbolism and metaphor. From the shape of the shade to the colors within it; even the placement of the bulb hints at the mysteries of a woman’s charms. The overall form of the lamp initially suggests an African fertility image. The top curve of the neck, from which the shade is suspended, is serpentine and follows the same curve as that of the snake offering an “apple” to Eve in classic paintings.
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The ornamentation on the base exhibits a squared spiral, one of several characteristic symbols that appear in my work. This lamp’s design was an unusual departure for me since I seldom emphasize or concentrate on the female form in my works.
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Dimensions: Height – 60 in. Width – 12 in. Depth – 12 in.
BOUGAINVELLIA LAMP
This lamp is constructed of steel, with a blue, powder coat finish. The central shaft of the lamp is surrounded by rings of various sizes that appear to have been spinning around it but have now reached their “slump” point and seem to be sliding down the pole from lack of centrifugal force. It is this effect that gives the lamp its dynamic quality. The shade is made of two concave triangles. The tips of their angles curve back over one another. This tends to give a viewer the impression of sails (that in my own imagination are catching the winds of space). The “Saturn’s” rings circling the central shaft and the unusual bulb give the perfect touch to this lamp that is designed in the best 1950s “space-age” tradition. In some ways it seems as if the shades have been pushed out by the light which they are shielding. At the same time, the magenta shade suggests the complex petal arrangement of a bougainvillea flower that swirls around the stamen – the stamen, in this case, is represented by the bulb. The shades are also fully adjustable and may be rotated or extended along the length of their respective shafts.
Dimensions: Height – 78 in. Width – 20 in. Depth – 20 in.