Lindsey Adelman has become a defining figure in contemporary lighting design, transforming light from a mere functional element into a strong medium for artistic expression. With her distinctive blend of organic forms and industrial materials, she has crafted a body of work that explores the tension between nature and machine, pushing the boundaries of traditional lighting design. Since founding her studio in 2006, Adelman’s creations have illuminated homes, galleries, and public spaces worldwide, captivating audiences with their sculptural elegance and evocative play of light and shadow.
A Journey into Lighting: From RISD to Studio Founder
Adelman’s fascination with lighting began during her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she was drawn to the immaterial nature of light. «I find [lighting] interesting because it’s an immaterial substance» she told Dezeen. «This idea of working with something that’s about effect; it’s intangible, you’re really shaping form to maximize a lighting effect». After graduating from RISD, Adelman honed her skills under renowned lighting designer David Weeks, before setting up her own studio in New York’s NoHo district.
Adelman’s journey into lighting wasn’t initially planned. In fact, she stumbled upon design while working at the Smithsonian Institution. «I happened to wander into the Exhibition Fabrication Department and see an industrial designer sculpting French fries out of foam for a show» she recalled to Forbes. This encounter set her on a path that led to her becoming one of the most influential figures in lighting design today.
Lindsey Adelman Studio: A Hub for Creativity and Collaboration
Founded in 2006, Lindsey Adelman Studio operates as a collaborative space where experimentation thrives. The studio, split between New York and Los Angeles, is home to a team of around 40 artists, designers, and craftspeople who work together to bring Adelman’s vision to life. Describing her role, Adelman said: «In the workshop, I’m creative director, but I pass the baton in many areas… I’m efficient in order to have creative time, but it’s also great to not try to do everything anymore». This collaborative spirit is essential to the studio’s process, where mock-ups and full-scale models are developed in-house before being refined into finished pieces. Adelman places a strong emphasis on community and inclusion, fostering an environment where diversity of thought and experience is valued. «We care about creating a truly inclusive environment» she says. This philosophy extends beyond the studio walls, with the team regularly engaging in group activities such as meditation and creative drawing sessions, designed to inspire and strengthen their bond
Organic Meets Industrial: Lindsey Adelman’s Style
Adelman’s work is often described as a marriage of opposites—organic shapes juxtaposed with industrial elements. Her signature aesthetic, exemplified by the Branching Bubble chandelier, combines hand-blown glass globes with metal structures, creating a balance between fragility and strength. «The inspiration for Branching Bubble – she explain – was the brass swivel joints and elbows found in the industrial stores on lower Manhattan’s Canal Street. What would happen if you took those shapes and re-engineered them, creating something radical and unexpected»? This fusion of organic and industrial is evident throughout her portfolio. Adelman frequently collaborates with master glassblower Michiko Sakano, who has been a close partner for over 15 years.
Together, they explore innovative techniques, such as embedding brass chains into molten glass, a process Adelman describes as “a chemical reaction” that imbues the work with the energy of the artist. Adelman’s pieces are not just about light but also about the shadows and negative spaces they create. She once remarked: «I think about light as a revealing medium—it peels back the layers». This sentiment drives her to explore lighting’s transformative power, turning spaces into dynamic environments that shift and evolve with the play of light and shadow.
Lindsey Adelman Chandeliers
Among Adelman’s most iconic designs is the Branching Bubble chandelier, a modular system that has become a hallmark of high-end interiors. Available in various configurations, the chandelier’s hand-blown glass globes appear to float on slender brass limbs, casting a warm, diffused glow. The imperfections in the glass make each piece unique, as if the fixture is alive and breathing within the space it occupies. In contrast, the Branching Disc collection takes a more horizontal approach, with delicate porcelain scallops that hover and float, evoking the sensation of sunlight filtering through leaves.
Adelman worked with the 280-year-old porcelain company Nymphenburg to achieve the wafer-thin translucence of the discs, pushing the boundaries of material and form.The Cherry Bomb collection, inspired by the fleeting beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms, features slender metal branches adorned with small glowing orbs. These fixtures embody Adelman’s fascination with the ephemeral, capturing the delicate balance between strength and fragility.
Her Paradise collection, introduced in 2019, takes this exploration even further, combining glass, brass chains, and crochet techniques to create sprawling, customizable fixtures that seem to defy gravity.
«Paradise is a more playful system that designers can absolutely customize and have fun with» Adelman told AD Pro, reflecting her desire to make her work accessible while maintaining its sculptural integrity.
The Playfulness of Light
Lindsey Adelman’s work transcends traditional notions of lighting design, blending art, craft, and function into a harmonious whole. As she continues to push the boundaries of what lighting can be, Adelman remains committed to her creative vision: «I’m nurturing that sense of play. It’s sacred. I won’t let anyone take that away».
In a world where light is often taken for granted, Lindsey Adelman has made it her mission to remind us of its power to inspire, provoke, and transform.
