Light with a body and presence
- Isabel's lights are individually designed on commission for architects or clients
- She works on small series as well as singular, opulent creations
- Her most rewarding moment is seeing lights switched on in their new spaces
Isabel Hamm designs sculptural luminaires for villas, hotels and embassies around the world, from small series to bespoke masterpieces. "My career is guided by the meaningful encounters I have with other artists. Master potter Wendelin Stahl taught me to see form with honesty," she says. Isabel explored collaborations in her own design collective, and discovered glass at the Royal College of Art. A pivotal meeting with Austrian architect Monika Gogl, who commissioned a hotel chandelier, led to the founding of her Cologne-based studio, Isabel Hamm Licht. "Today, I shape every ceramic shade myself, while my glass pieces are often crafted with the help of artisans I have worked with for years," Isabel says. Each luminaire from her studio gives light a body and presence, uniquely transforming every space it occupies.
Interview
- When did you first start experimenting with glass?
- I first handled glass while studying for my masters in ceramic and glass. The Royal College of Art’s in-house studio gave me practical experience, and I found that many techniques mirrored those in my ceramic practice. I also collaborate with skilled glass artisans to create the glass elements of my lighting projects.
- Do you still create functional ceramic objects?
- Ceramics remain an important part of my practice. This year, I created and designed teapots for the Designhotel Wieserhof, where my lamps are also showcased. I really enjoy developing tableware and unique teapots. Additionally, I produce functional ceramics for selected fine dining projects, experimenting with raw stone surfaces and vivid glazes.
- How important are collaborations to you?
- Collaborations are at the heart of my work. I am supported by a reliable team of skilled artisans, and I rely on these partnerships to bring my designs to life. Maintaining strong, long-term connections with fellow craftspeople, suppliers, architects and clients is essential to everything I create.
- What excites you most about your work?
- The most rewarding moment is always when a light is finally switched on and the atmosphere shifts. Suddenly, the piece is no longer an object but a living presence in the room, shaping mood and perception in ways I could never fully predict.
Isabel Hamm is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1998
Where
Isabel Hamm
