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Material and memories synthesise to shape Heath Clay Studio’s new lighting collection
The small and wide Stack table lamps add warmth and character to a space to create a modest contemporary setting
Image: Courtesy of Heath Ceramics
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Material and memories synthesise to shape Heath Clay Studio’s new lighting collection

The studio's creative director Tung Chiang draws from childhood experiences for the new handcrafted lighting collection, celebrating the tactile beauty of textured ceramics.

by STIRpad
Published on : Aug 29, 2024

"The effect reminds me of my childhood - catching fireflies in my hands, then loosening my fingers to let their light shine through," reflects Tung Chiang, creative director of San Francisco-based Heath Clay Studio, in its latest project press release. The poetic memory has now been transformed into the studio’s newest lighting design collection which explores the potential of ceramics to transcend its perceived limitations. The result is a series of fixtures that are as practical as they are visually striking, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

Heath Clay Studio is an artisanal exploration division of Heath Ceramics, housed within its San Francisco factory and showroom. This collection extends the company's legacy of celebrating people and places, while also being part of their third Design Series showcase, where the team of product designers explored the creative potential of ceramic lighting. The studio hosted a bud vase workshop and a meet-and-greet in their showroom gallery to celebrate its launch, inviting visitors to engage in pottery activities and build connections with the community. Balancing form and emotional resonance, the new lighting collection features two sizes of table lamps and a pendant lights, each hand-thrown in the studio and available in two distinct glazes.

Chiang drew on his childhood experiences in Hong Kong for this collection. The delicate dance of fireflies, a cherished memory, is reflected in the lamps' design, where light filters through small apertures, mimicking the playful flicker of fireflies. This approach not only captures the essence of his memories but also challenges the conventional use of clay in lighting. Clay, typically heavy and opaque, is not an obvious material choice for lighting designers, but this challenge of integrating light with such a tactile material inspired new levels of creativity for the team.

Clay exudes a certain earthiness and warmth, making it apt for creating objects that add cosiness to an environment. Upon illumination, the cylindrical lamp design features a dappled pattern on its base through the circular punctures, making a bold and festive statement and the pendant lights resemble an elongated inverted bowl. The varying layers of clay on the surface can complement any space with its texture, form and colour, giving it a modest and contemporary character. The pendant and table lamps also feature a unique glaze technique that creates a gradient, giving the illusion of light even when the lamps are turned off. The collection's ability to be customised in proportions and finishes offers a personal touch in tandem with allowing each piece to integrate seamlessly into various interior settings, reflecting the individual tastes and styles of its owners.

Founded in 1948 by Edith and Brian Heath, this small-scale, California-based pottery studio has been celebrated for its artistry and inventive approach to pottery. The American design and manufacturing company makes ceramic goods for homes consisting of varied tiles, dinnerware, decorative items, lights and jewellery designs. Its creative segment, the clay studio, commenced experimental ceramic product designs in 2015 under the guidance of Chiang, where a small group of skilled ceramic artists began shaping objects with their hands through form and glaze in their work, pushing the boundaries of ceramic art while staying true to its roots. Although most pieces are limited-edition and exclusively accessible only to visitors, a few designs, like this new lighting collection, are produced in larger quantities to reach a broader audience.

The origins of Heath Clay Studio’s new lighting collection are as much about memory as they are about material. Not only does it defy the conventional use of light and translucent materials for lighting, but it also materialises a combination of innovative ideas and nostalgic sentiments. Fusing personal narratives and craftsmanship, the collection demonstrates how channelling meaningful experiences into one’s art can result in expressive and grounding creations that add layers of meaning to everyday objects.

(Text by Bansari Paghdar, intern at STIR)

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