Niamh Barry’s sculptural lighting is an exercise in artistry. The self-taught metalworker approaches each beguiling chandelier, wall light, table lamp and floor lamp with a desire to go beyond the piece’s practicality and create something exceptional. Working in bronze, she welds the metal into intricate shapes that become optical illusions.
Barry was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1968 and graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 1991. After graduation, she opened a studio where she could experiment with light and form based on inspiration from the natural world. In designing her pieces, Barry draws inspiration from everything from plants to astrological patterns.
Barry is particularly well-known for being one of the pioneers of LED lighting. The technology allows her to produce fixtures in novel shapes. The use of bronze and glass, meanwhile, enables her to create a softer and more diffuse glow than one might get with a typical LED lamp, giving her work an inviting feel.
When designing a piece, Barry begins with a simple hand sketch that conveys feeling rather than function. She then makes a model out of wires as well as a model on the computer, which she can digitally manipulate. Finally, metal is bent, rolled and hammered into the desired shape. After the metal is polished to a gleaming shine, the LEDs are integrated into the fixture.
The Business Post called Barry “one of Ireland’s most renowned contemporary artists.” She is among the most prolific names working in LED light sculpture and has been profiled in magazines like Galerie Magazine, Architectural Digest and MODERN Magazine. Since 2001, she has participated in several exhibitions a year, including Themes & Variations, FOG Art + Design and Salon Art + Design.
On 1stDibs, find Niamh Barry lighting and decorative objects.
Niamh Barry, "Horizontal Stacked, " Bronze Table Light Sculpture, Ireland, 2020
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary light sculpture, one of a series of strikingly beautiful pieces in blue patina, marks yet another departure for the groundbreaking Irish artist and designer, furth...
Bronze
Niamh Barry, "Vertical Stacked, " Bronze Table Light Sculpture, Ireland, 2020
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary light sculpture, one of a series of strikingly beautiful pieces in blue patina, marks yet another departure for the groundbreaking Irish artist and designer, fur...
Bronze
Price Upon Request
Niamh Barry, "Knotted, " Light Sculpture, Ireland, 2015
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
Niamh Barry’s work starts as line drawings. She is inspired by forms and movements in the natural word that evoke emotion and her finished pieces are compositions that translate thes...
Bronze
$7,866 / item
H 18.51 in Dm 15.75 in
'Cosmic Solstice Ore' Table Lamp, Handmade Bronze Patinated Brass Table Light
By Eva Menz for Atelier001
Located in London, England
Taking inspiration from planetary shapes and textures, the Cosmic collection artfully explores the interplay of metal properties and a curated selection of patina finishes. Handcra...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Cut Crystal Table Lamp, Ebony & Brass Base, Ireland
Located in Malibu, CA
Stunning cut crystal table lamp attributed to Waterford, with ebony wood & brass base. There is ONE lamp available. This lusting is not for a pair. Shown with natural linen & black s...
Crystal, Brass
Art Deco Sculpture Bronze Table Lamp made in Sweden, 1930s
By Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Genuinely nice Art Deco Swedish table lamp made in bronze during the 1930s. This lamp made with a base of bronze and a textile shade. The details in this small desk / table lamp are ...
Bronze
From $4,060 / item
H 64.57 in Dm 14.97 in
VeniceM Urban Floor Light 3 in Light Burnished Brass & Glass by Massimo Tonetto
By Massimo Tonetto, VeniceM
Located in Mogliano Veneto, TV
Floor lamp with diffused light. Light burnished brass structure with matte gold or matte black perforated metal lampshade. White Murano blown glass diffuser. Specifications: Functi...
Brass
$1,308
H 16.34 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Vintage Decorative Table Lamp, Oriental, Bronze, Ornamental Light, Circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative table lamp. An oriental, bronze ornamental light, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Charming table lamp with pleasingly weathered appearance Displays a desirable aged patina throughout Bronze offers an appealing patinated tonality with verdigris hues Lamp fitting accepts a standard bayonet bulb beneath a tasteful shade The form engraved with geometric patterns and bold monkey...
Bronze
$2,950
H 25 in W 23 in D 17 in
21st Century Ploughshare Light Sculpture by Andrew Stansell Limited Edition
By Andrew Stansell
Located in Wainscott, NY
21st century Ploughshare light sculpture by artist Andrew Stanell is made to order and in limited edition. Ploughshare is a tabletop light sculpture b...
Metal
$13,757
H 20.48 in W 8.67 in D 7.49 in
Michel Armand Gilt Bronze Modernist Flame Sculpture Table Lamp, 1970
By Michel Armand
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful table lamp produced by Atelier Michel Armand in the 1970s has the visual impact of a modernist sculpture. This rare model, named F...
Bronze
Venini Abat-Jour Bedside Table Light in Light Pink Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Abat-Jour Bedside table lamp, designed and manufactured by Venini, features elliptical hand-blown elements crafted using the “balloton” technique. Dimensions: Ø 33 cm, H 60 cm.
Blown Glass
$2,750 / set
H 33 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful Pair Crystal Glass Ormolu Bronze E. F. Caldwell Stack Table Lamps
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Crystal / Art Glass Ormolu Mounted Bronze Stack Table Lamps In The Manner OF E. F. Caldwell Wiring Has Been Updated
Crystal, Bronze
VeniceM Zoe Table Light by Massimo Tonetto
By VeniceM, Massimo Tonetto
Located in Mogliano Veneto, TV
Table lamp with diffused light. Matte or polished black nickel, polished gold, polished chrome or light burnished brass structure and white Murano blown glass diffuser. Polished black nickel, polished gold or polished chrome metal sphere...
Metal
$1,375 / item
H 18.9 in Dm 7.49 in
Venini Tiaraluce Large Table Light in Light Pink by Francesco Lucchese
By Venini, Francesco Lucchese
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiaraluce table lamp, designed by Francesco Lucchese and manufactured by Venini, is available in two different sizes and colors. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 19 cm, H 48 cm.
Glass
$26,400 / item
H 18.12 in W 22.05 in D 12.21 in
Venini Musa Glass Sculpture Light in Red by Fabio Novembre
By Venini, Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Musa glass sculpture table lamp, designed by Fabio Novembre and manufactured by Venini, features a handmade glass sculpture with a metal cage and a Carrara marble base. Available in ...
Glass
