The new Alchemist lighting collection by Lee Broom recently made its London debut in the Shoreditch showroom during the London Design Festival 2024. Broom, a renowned British product designer who founded his company in 2007, has created over 100 original, handcrafted furniture, lighting, and accessories. His award-winning collection, which previously launched in New York to great acclaim, centers on the balance and interconnection of sculptural metal forms containing light.
The Shoreditch showroom was beautifully transformed to showcase the new pieces, taking viewers on a captivating journey with each light displayed to highlight its story and materiality. The Alchemist collection is divided into four unique ranges: Mythos, King, Solstice, and Gemini, each exploring the concept of alchemy and the interplay of light and form.
Reflecting on the debut, the collection successfully captured the attention of design enthusiasts and critics alike, who praised its innovative approach to lighting design. Visitors were particularly drawn to the intricate craftsmanship and the ability of each piece to evoke a sense of wonder, blending physical transformation with mystical themes.
Alchemist delves into the ancient art of alchemy, transforming base metals into noble objects of desire while exploring its spiritual and mystical connotations. Inspired by Paulo Coelho’s novel “The Alchemist,” Broom aimed to create a collection that reflects both the physical and metaphysical aspects of alchemy, referencing themes of astrology, mythology, and folklore. The collection includes pendant lights, chandeliers, and wall sconces, focusing on traditional brass welding while incorporating glass, acrylic, and leather. As with all Lee Broom products, the Alchemist collection is created and assembled in-house at the Lee Broom factory in London.
King
The crowning glory of the Alchemist collection, King, is composed of individual brushed metal leaves, folded and tapered by hand to create multiple tiered rings. Each ring conceals a hidden glow that envelops the golden leaves, casting intricate shadows and light.
Mythos
Mythos is a brass pendant light featuring one or two sculptural interconnected links that capture an illuminated glass orb. Suspended from a hand-stitched leather strap, concealed connections make it nearly impossible to determine how the orb generates its illumination.
Solstice
Designed as a single pendant, Solstice allows multiple fixtures to be connected, creating a tower of light with two or three globes. Constructed from brushed brass in either a classic or blackened finish, each Solstice can be rotated to create unique formations.
Gemini
Gemini consists of two opposing halves that connect asymmetrically to form a linear illuminated piece. It can be hung horizontally or vertically, featuring an illuminated capsule that is sliced and shifted to reveal a brushed brass fascia.
I’m excited to showcase Alchemist in our Shoreditch showroom for London Design Festival 2024. Inspired by the ancient art of alchemy, the collection blends physical transformation with mystical themes. By transforming our Shoreditch showroom, we hope to take visitors on a journey through light and design, highlighting the unique story behind each piece.
– Lee Broom
Known for his dramatic installations during design weeks and collaborations with luxury brands, Broom has received numerous awards, including The British Designer of the Year Award. His flagship showroom is in Shoreditch, London, and in 2022, Rizzoli published his first monograph, “Fashioning Design.”
