Colours of Light is a solo-exhibition by Melbourne-based multidisciplinary designer and artist, Ilan El. The exhibition will showcase recent light works exploring the different experiences and emotions evoked by vibrant hues in natural landscapes. Colours of Light will open Saturday 12 March to Sunday 5 June 2022 at Linden New Art.
El works across both commercial lighting design and visual art. For Colours of Light the selection of light works included in the exhibition were originally designed for homes and public venues, alongside a brand-new series of artworks.
The work explores the possibilities of light, form and colour to enhance our experience of space and interiors. El is drawn to the varied possibilities and perspectives of colour and light as seen through the human eye.
“I am passionate about lighting because it’s the only type of object that has dual modes of existence – when it’s off it’s an object, when it’s on it comes to life,” says El. “All of the works are coloured and illuminated. The colours will be interchangeable so they will constantly be in motion. In the piece titled Aura, viewers can select and mix the colours of light. I lived with that piece in my living room and I used it every day and I learned so much about myself, for example which colour calms me, which agitates me, which colour makes me happy, that one is orange!
Physiologically we register light and colour on our retina differently, so we can look at the same colour but interpret it differently. \It is symbolic and carries different associations for different people, so you can’t generalise about its effect because that is always personal.”
ILANEL™ Design Studio was founded in 2010 by El, who works with his team to create original products and bespoke designs by hand from his St Kilda atelier. El trained as an architect and quickly established himself in home and restaurant interior design including lighting.
Experiential lighting is El’s passion and his products illuminate spaces around the world, from large-scale hospitality projects to custom one-off residential designs. Ilan El’s work has been shown at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2021, at Craft Victoria and the Justin Art House Museum.
Linden New Art
26 Acland Street, St Kilda 3182
Ilan El > Colours of Light
Exhibition dates: 12 March – 5 June 2022
Opening night: 11 March 2022
Image credit: Ilan El, Sham-Mayim (Horizon No. 01), 2021, transparent and opaque synthetic polymer resin, aluminium, LEDs, electrical components, 101 x 81 x 5.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
