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, In the Eyes of, Polished Bronze Light Sculpture, Ireland, 2023
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 striking...
Bronze
Niamh Barry, "Standing, " Patinated Bronze Light Sculpture, 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, the work transcends utility. She strives, above all else, to achieve striking...
Bronze
Niamh Barry, "Underneath, " Patinated Bronze Light Sculpture, Ireland, 2018
By Niamh Barry
Located in New York, NY
A study of the human form, this extraordinary patinated bronze sculpture evinces physical muscular strength, strain, and balance--giving it a remarkable presence all its own. Size ...
Bronze
$3,960Sale Price|80% Off
H 64.97 in W 49.22 in D 27.56 in
Brass and Agate Flying Eagle Illuminated Sculpture by Fernandez
By Henri Fernandez
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Unique sculpture made of a bamboo-inspired central stem on which stands a flying brass eagle. Three lights hidden between a fan of beige and brown agate. Signed by Fernandez
Agate, Brass
$14,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 86 in Dm 43 in
Maison Jansen Huge 5 Light Bamboo Bronze & Brass Palm Tree Floor Lamp Paris 1965
By Maison Jansen
Located in Miami, FL
One of a Kind Maison Jansen designed 7ft H bronze, brass and bamboo palm tree floor lamp made in 1965. Provenance: Palace Hotel in La Baule, France. Wired f...
Brass, Bronze
Italian Minerva Patinated Bronze Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
After the Antique Venus of Capua Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 20th century, possibly cast by Chiurazzi, the standing draped figure with outstretched arm, with a foot resting on a helm...
Bronze
Bronze Floor Lamp 'Matta' by french designer Alexandre Logé
By Alexandre Logé
Located in Paris, FR
"Matta" is a Designed large floor lamp in solid bronze, signed with the french artist’s mark of Alexandre logé Limited edition x 25. Numbered 2 / 25. Single LED bulb inside opening a...
Bronze
$11,426 / item
H 70.87 in W 14.57 in D 25.2 in
Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture for BD Barcelona
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Braceli lamp designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf). Lampshade ...
Cotton
Madrepora Lecce Stone Vertical Light Sculpture
By Creazioni di Andrea Serra
Located in Milan, IT
Part sculpture, part lamp, this wonderful artwork pays tribute to the beauty of nature using a material of emotional significance for the artist. The Lecce stone is a prized fossilif...
Limestone
$9,023Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 57 in W 10 in D 10 in
Pair of Art Deco Life-Size Bronze Pharaoh Verdigris Lamp Statues with Torchieres
Located in Lomita, CA
At the base of a staircase, or in front of a fireplace, the silhouettes of this pair has a lifelike quality. Pharaohs light the way from atop their geometric base. The bronze Egyptian-style statues will dominate the entryway and the conversation. The silhouettes are stunning, on or turned off. The Art Deco style parcel verdigris bronze figural floor lamps...
Bronze
$4,600
H 69 in Dm 0.1 in
Early 1900's Neo Classical Bronze Floor Lamp w Mercury and Nude Girls Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and rare standard floorlamp with bronze sculptures of Mercury and Nude girls sculptures. This impressive and very well made, antique floor lamp dates from about 1910-1920...
Bronze
$425
H 11.75 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
Brutalist Owl Sculpture in Raw Metal with Glass Eyes in the Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool brutalist owl sculpture in raw metal with glass eyes in the style of Curtis Jere, circa 1960s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 7"W x 3.5"D...
Metal
$9,500
H 74 in W 16 in D 14 in
Midcentury Postmodern Optical Neon Floor Lamp Sculpture after Rudi Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive 1980s neon sculpture designed by Zimmerman Studios and produced by Archigraphics LA in 1987. Comes complete with pedestal as shown. Signed and numbered.
Glass, Acrylic, Wood
Irish Setter Bronze Dog Sculpture
Located in Rochester, NY
Irish setter with a fabulous coat. Patinated bronze. Illegibly signed. Dated '81.
Bronze
Bronze sculpture of the god Mercury
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze sculpture of the god Mercury Representation of the god Mercury standing on Aeolus, the god of the wind (after Gianbologna) Origin France Circa 1900 Base of green Alpine marble...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 22.84 in
Contemporary Light Sculpture, 'A Little Bit Together' by Niamh Barry
By Niamh Barry
Located in London, England
Unique piece, 2019 Stamped signature, dated and numbered: 'NIAMH BARRY 2019 1/1' This 'links' of this stunning sculpture are in hand-wrought bronze finished in a matt black patina,...
Bronze