Glowing Haven – PH Artichoke
As a Danish artist living in the United States, I take great pride in my Danish cultural heritage—especially in Danish design, which is internationally recognized. Recently, I embarked on a special project: transforming two of Poul Henningsen’s iconic Artichoke lamps, considered a global design icon. The project was commissioned by one of my collectors, who wanted to revolutionize their living space and connect it with my paintings. This project provided me with a unique and challenging canvas to express my abstract style.
The PH Artichoke consists of 72 leaves, each carefully positioned to provide completely glare-free light from any angle. My goal was to preserve the intricate and unique structure while allowing my abstract style to unfold fully. From there, I let my intuition and passion guide the brush.
It was not without its challenges. The lamp’s unique construction required me to rethink my approach. I even set up improvised lamp holders in my studio to ensure that I could paint each individual leaf with precision. As someone who thrives on challenges and loves to experiment, I embraced the entire project with great enthusiasm.
The beauty of lighting lies not only in the light itself but also in how it interacts with its surroundings. The unique design, with its many layered elements, is a testament to this. As light radiates from its core, it weaves through the metal leaves of the artichoke shape, casting mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow. Each layer becomes a canvas in itself, telling a story of iconic Danish design traditions transformed by artistic interpretation.
This project was not just a special edition of the PH Artichoke lamp—it became a work of art that tells a story of heritage, transformation, and artistic evolution.