Natural flair lights up gloomy lockdown

HIS work can be found in Google Singapore’s head office and in guest rooms at the luxury Hobart hotel Macq 01.

Now, acclaimed lighting designer Duncan Meerding has made light work of a new range of natureinspired works.

Mr Meerding’s latest lighting range features seven designs, each an iteration of his much-lauded cracked log lamp.

“Being able to develop new designs is why I do the work I do,” he said.

“To be able to develop work creatively in such a big way is extremely rewarding, and to then have them showcased internationally is humbling.”

The cracked branch light, cracked log wall sconce, linear scrub branch light, cylinder eucalyptus downlight, spiral chandelier, X8 stool and X8 table are a direct continuation of his award-winning stump lamps, which were exhibited at the Milan Design Fair last year and as part of the Venice biennale in 2018.

Mr Meerding’s range was developed this year during the COVID downturn, at a time when he had been due in London as a guest teacher in a worldfirst pilot course in architectural design for people who are vision-impaired.

He said the down time had allowed him to develop the range at his studio in North Hobart.

“Last year was quite a crazy year for me, going to talks interstate or overseas, and presenting, teaching or exhibiting,” he said.

“This year, because of COVID, I’ve stayed put in Hobart and been able to develop new work and bring those skills back home.” susan.oong2@news.com.au