Photos By Gail

Sometimes a lamp is more than just lighting — it’s sculpture, tribute, and design statement all in one. That’s exactly what drew my attention to the Ellsworth Lamp when I first encountered it at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in 2023.

Designed by Brooklyn-based artist and designer Hannah Bigeleisen, the Ellsworth Lamp represents a pivotal moment in her creative practice. Originally trained as a sculptor, Bigeleisen began experimenting with functional objects, and the Ellsworth became one of her first lighting designs — a piece that bridges the worlds of fine art and everyday utility.

The lamp’s rounded base is crafted from gypsum, finished with lacquer, and accented with brushed brass details. The result is a tactile, sculptural form that feels hand-made and intentional, rather than purely industrial. Topped with a frosted glass globe diffuser, the piece balances softness and geometry, creating a warm ambient glow that feels both modern and timeless.

As its name suggests, the Ellsworth Lamp pays homage to minimalist artist Ellsworth Kelly, whose work is known for bold color fields, simple shapes, and refined geometric compositions. Bigeleisen channels that sensibility through the lamp’s clean lines and sphere-based structure, transforming minimalist abstraction into a functional object.

Available in a range of colors — from the deep cobalt seen here to soft neutrals — the Ellsworth Lamp feels equally at home in a contemporary interior or as a standalone sculptural accent. It’s the kind of piece that works both turned on and off, serving as design object and light source in equal measure.

What makes the Ellsworth especially compelling is its origin story: a sculptor discovering light as a new medium. That transition gives the lamp a sense of artistic experimentation and authenticity — something at ICFF that immediately stood out to this art lover.