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.
Price Upon Request
Niamh Barry, Shouldering, Contemporary Sculptural Table, Ireland, 2022
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
Niamh Barry often says that her sculptures are drawings in bronze and light. Inspired by natural beauty, her work transcends utility. She strives, above all else, to achieve strikin...
Bronze
Price Upon Request
Niamh Barry, Ghost, Contemporary Sculptural Bench, Ireland, 2022
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
This gently swelling bench, completely finished in polished bronze (and the product of hundreds of hours of work), is totally reflective and appears to float on its three rectilinear...
Bronze
Price Upon Request
Niamh Barry, Top Top, Contemporary Sculptural Console, Ireland, 2022
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
Limited edition of 20. Niamh Barry often says that her sculptures are drawings in bronze and light. Inspired by natural beauty, her work transcends utility. She strives, above all e...
Bronze
Sculptural Travertine Console
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural travertine console with rectangular glass top.
Travertine
Irish Lion Mask Table
By Jonathan Sainsbury
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A monumental Irish Baroque carved mahogany country house serving table with marble top and strong Romanic influence. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time a...
Marble
Irish Neoclassic Marble Mounted Console Table
Located in Essex, MA
With replaced faux marble top over a conforming frieze with central marble panel with urn inlay flanked by fluting and panels with inlays, raised on square t...
Other
Barbara Barry for Baker Console Table
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long deco style console table by Baker in rich mahogany with bright gold accenting trim. Almost seven feet long, this works great behind a long sofa. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Mahogany
Irish Georgian Console Table
Located in Savannah, GA
An Irish Georgian walnut console table with two drawers, 1820s. 56 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 30 ¼ inches tall
Walnut
Irish Chippendale Carved Mahogany Side Table, circa 1760
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Exceptional circa 1760 Irish Chippendale mahogany slab or side table having breccia pernice marble top surmounting carved geometric interlacement band frieze with central carved 'cel...
Breccia Marble
A Fine Irish Mahogany Marble Top Console Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Irish Mahogany Marble Top Console Table 18th Century With a rectangular marble insert over a finely carved frieze, all resting on cabriole legs ending in pad feet. He...
Mahogany
$7,951 / item
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 46.46 in
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 118 x D 44 x H 80 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished b...
Brass
18th Century Irish Serving Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine 18th century Irish serving table with unusual superstructure for displaying plate, having two notched grooves over plinth base, the well f...
Mahogany
Irish Regency Mahogany Console Table
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century Irish mahogany console. Solid serpentine top over carved paw feet.
Mahogany
$24,000 / set
H 30 in W 39.5 in D 20 in
Pair of 18th Century Irish Chippendale Marble Top Console Tables
Located in Solebury, PA
A pair of rare Irish mahogany console tables with Carrara marble tops are set above an elaborate apron intricately carved with acanthus leaves and shells. The apron flows into strong...
Carrara Marble
18th Century Mahogany Irish Games Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Irish games table is as functional as it is beautiful. Crafted of Cuban mahogany, it serves as a console table when not in use, but the top folds out to reveal a gre...
Mahogany