Wairua

Wairua

A sculptural exploration of memory, light and material

Wairua transcends mere physical existence.

It is the gentle traces of ourselves that we leave behind. It is born from experience, interaction and an appreciation of the environment that surrounds us.

Wairua explores these ideas through material and light. Beaten brass sits alongside textured, hand-cast lead crystal glass, illuminated from behind with a carefully considered light source. Light moves through the irregular glass, revealing changes in texture, depth and shadow.

Each Wairua is made by hand, and the subtle marks left by that process become part of the work. No two pieces are quite the same.

Each Wairua has a story to tell.

An evolving series

Wairua is an ongoing series of lighting sculptures by New Zealand artist James Russ.

Wairua 1 is installed in the lobby of the Quincy Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Wairua 2, 3 and 5 have since entered private collections, with the series continuing to find homes in New Zealand and internationally.

Wairua brings together ideas that have long been part of James’ work — material, craftsmanship, technology and the emotional quality of light. It is as much about what we feel in the presence of an object as the object itself.

Read more about James’ journey and the process behind Wairua in ArchitectureNow’s Behind the Object: Wairua.

For available works or to commission a Wairua lighting sculpture, contact James Russ Studio.

Details

Artist: James Russ
Series: Wairua
Materials: Beaten brass and hand-cast lead crystal glass
Light source: Integrated LED
Made: New Zealand

Available sizes:
830mm / 2ft 8.7in
1060mm / 3ft 5.7in
1760mm / 5ft 9.3in
1990mm / 6ft 6.3in
2880mm / 9ft 9.4in

Interior design with a large round wall art piece in gold and black, wooden slat wall, black floor tiles, and gold accents on the railing and furniture.
James Russ Wairua sculpture. Hand-drawn circular diagram with lines and symbols radiating from the center, resembling a star chart or geometric pattern, on white paper.
James Russ Wairua sculpture. Modern interior with large illuminated circular wall art, man in business suit walking through.
A large circular wall art piece depicting a map of the Bahamas, mounted on a wall with wooden slats surrounding it.
James Russ Wairua sculpture. Modern living room with a large, illuminated globe wall art depicting a topographical map, beige walls, and large glass windows showing an ocean view with rocky coastline.
A woman with curly hair, wearing a pink sweater and gray pants, smiling while walking with a yellow handbag and a rolling suitcase in a modern, well-lit café or lobby with large windows.
Round wooden art piece with concentric circular cutouts and white lines, mounted on a white wall.
James Russ Wairua sculpture. Decorative wall panel with abstract cut-out patterns and backlighting, mounted on a white textured wall, with tropical plants and ocean view visible nearby.
Decorative wall art with a circular design featuring abstract gold and black patterns, framed by vertical wooden slats.
James Russ Wairua sculpture. Wall art piece titled 'Vaira' by James Russ, made of brass and glass, 1800mm in diameter, illuminated from behind, displayed in a modern interior space.
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James Russ Wairua sculpture. Modern living room with a large window showing a city skyline at night, beige sofa with dark pillows, abstract sculptures on a wooden console, and a decorative metallic wall art piece with backlighting.
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James Russ Wairua Commission NY
James Russ at his studio working on Brass Wairua
James Russ Wairua - Hamburg