A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black t-shirt sitting on a chair, holding a white mug, with abstract art in the background.

James Russ’ lighting sculptures blur the line between design and fine art.

A master of materiality, James draws on a wealth of industrial design knowledge to seamlessly transition between the use of glass, ceramics, timber, brass and aluminium in his creations. He descends from a long lineage of pioneers who instilled in him a passion for the natural environment and a deep appreciation for New Zealand's unique culture. His design inspiration often stems from native flora and fauna, which he photographs or films to capture intricate details. His pieces embody a delicate balance between natural materials, modern technology and human context. Designed to last a lifetime, James’ sculptural works evoke emotions of warmth, intimacy and whimsy. James is currently venturing into large-scale sculptural works, blending art and design in a way that celebrates human interaction with the natural world.