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H: Yes it’s a broad range of skills, and sometimes the sheer diversity of the work drives me mad. I ended up making the lampshades by default. I still struggle with them, to be honest. I fight with metres of wet linen, initially soaked in boiling hot tea, then mould it onto a plaster block, before nailing it onto the aforesaid. Followed by hours spent gently easing out any creases in the wet fabric, so it dries nice and smooth. Then day after day applying stiffeners, so the shade can support itself without any ugly metal frame to spoil the clean, sculptural look. Often it goes horribly wrong and I have to start from scratch.
The patination of each bronze is also a labour intensive process. Blow torch to heat the bronze, then applying layer after layer of different acids to produce just the right colour. It is toxic and tiring, but thrilling when it goes according to plan.
A lot of people are involved in making one lamp. In the foundries Chris and Gabi (London), Frederic and Nicholas (France), Barry who wires and tests each lamp, Jack who forms and welds the lampshade frames. A lot has to be co-ordinated. I have always worked with the same small team of people - they are like family.
see her range of wall lights >
