Sara Schoenberger's sculptural lighting synthesise heritage and contemporariness

To experience the New Orleans-based artist Sara Schoenberger's work in lighting design is to witness light as a sculptural force, where her creations evoke heritage while embracing contemporary expressions. Her eponymous studio, formally established in Brooklyn, New York in 2019, operates at the intersection of craftsmanship and innovation to conceive sculptural lighting and furniture designs. Each piece embodies a dialogue between material exploration and artistic intent, offering a playful narrative within the spaces they inhabit.

Raised in a city with a rich architectural history, her family’s influences shaped Schoenberger's design sensibilities early on. Her mother, a historic preservationist and her grandfather, an engineer and co-owner of a steel foundry, both played pivotal roles in developing her appreciation for craftsmanship. "I think seeing cast metal objects around my grandparent's house always symbolised quality and longevity to me as a kid," the lighting designer tells STIR. This exposure, paired with her fascination for Gothic architecture and medieval period objects continues to inspire her work. "Even though my designs are very contemporary, they often begin from noticing a particular wrought iron gallery on a walk through the Garden District or a visit to The Met Cloisters in New York," she shares.

The sculptor's meticulous approach to less conventional materials and more traditional manufacturing techniques shapes her design practice, which operates from the intersection of light, space and form. Her process is as much about material exploration as it is about artistic expression. "I have worked with many different materials, including resin, foam, wood, plaster and the list goes on, but my favourite has always been metal and metalworking in all its forms," Schoenberger explains. The contemplative nature of welding metal and the empowering ability to shape such a resilient material define the essence of her fabricated projects.

The studio's work with light stems from a deep curiosity about how it can be used "to create atmosphere, serve a function, or evoke a certain feeling experienced in the world," as the American artist puts it. With nearly a decade of expertise in the lighting design industry, Schoenberger continually explores new technologies, such as LEDs and light-diffusing materials, to push the boundaries of her designs and craft lighting solutions that are equally functional and immersive.

While the product designer utilises prototyping methods such as 3D printing and cardboard scale mock-ups, her most preferred ones are hand drawing and manual machining. Rooted in her early passion for sketching, her product designs often feature a graphic, linear quality. Schoenberger fabricates at full scale using a manual metal mill and lathe, refining each piece as she works. This hands-on method, informed by her background as a fabricator, allows her to identify inefficiencies and experiment with form before finalising a design, to ensure an efficient outcome.

The versatile Louis collection by the American designer is a captivating series of swinging wall lamp designs, resembling the elegant curves of brass instruments—a tribute to New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Despite its success, this collection posed significant challenges, especially in terms of assembly and production. However, Schoenberger recalls, "I learned a lot about running my own business through that process."

The Vault chandelier, on the other hand, draws inspiration from gazing at the soaring vaulted ceilings of a Gothic cathedral during moments of daydreaming in a Catholic school's morning chapel. Meanwhile, the vertical rods of the Ida floor lamp serve as both the light source and the framework for its curved white reflector. Four shorter rods cast light downwards, while the taller ones illuminate the ceiling and surrounding area.

Donning the roles of both a designer and a fabricator, Schoenberger has produced an impressive repertoire of voluptuous lighting that morph contemporary design with historic undertones—further transforming spaces into immersive experiences. When asked about her practice's future, she expresses enthusiasm for creating small accessories that go beyond lighting design. "The project springs from my fascination with roll forming and corrugated sheet metal. I'm exploring new ideas for roller die patterns and seeing where that will take me," she says.