Lee Broom presents Alchemist collection for the first time in London

For LDF 2024, the new Alchemist lighting collection by Lee Broom has its London debut in the Shoreditch showroom. The award-winning collection first launched in New York earlier this year centres on the balance and interconnection of sculptural metal forms containing light. Alchemist explores ideas around the ancient art of alchemy and turning base metals into noble objects of desire, while also observing its spiritual and mystical connotations. After reading the novel ‘The Alchemist’ by Paul Coelho, Broom was inspired by the concepts in the book and the idea of alchemy. Broom wanted to create a lighting collection which explored the physical ideas around alchemy while also touching on the metaphysical aspects by referencing themes of astrology, mythology and folklore. Divided into four unique lighting ranges - Mythos, King, Solstice and Gemini - the collection spans pendants lights, chandeliers and wall sconces and focuses on the traditional welding of brass, while combining this base metal with glass, acrylic and leather. As with all Lee Broom products, the Alchemist collection has been created in house and will be assembled in Lee Broom’s own London factory. Mythos is a brass pendant light formed of one or two sculptural interconnected links capturing an illuminated glass orb. Suspended from a hand-stitched leather strap which acts as a sling for the links, concealed connections make it almost impossible to determine how the orb generates its illumination. Mythos has also been created as an elegant wall sconce with a single link holding an illuminated orb. King is a majestic chandelier of significant proportions which intersects the boundaries of art and design. King is formed of individual brushed metal leaves which have been folded, tapered and brushed by hand to create multiple tiered rings, each concealing a hidden illuminated glow which envelopes the golden leaves, casting shadows and light. Produced in two sizes including a 90cm (35.5 inches) diameter and a large scale 1.2m (47.25 inches) fixture, King is the crowning glory of the Alchemist collection. Solstice references the prehistoric monument Stonehenge and its spiritual rituals around the Summer and Winter Solstices. Created as a single pendant, multiple fixtures can also be connected together to create a tower of light comprising of two or of three globes. And just as the earth rotates and the sun moves with the celestial sphere, each Solstice can be rotated creating your own heavenly formation. Constructed from brushed brass in a classic or blackened finish, Solstice has also been imagined as a surface mounted sconce which stands elegantly poised as it meets the surface of the wall. Gemini explores the classic characteristics of the astrological sign identified by the twins Castor and Pollux from Greek mythology as well as serving a nod to the equipment, crucibles and flasks used in alchemical workshops. This elegant light fixture is a piece of two opposing halves which connect asymmetrically to create one linear illuminated product. To be hung horizontally or vertically, Gemini is formed of an illuminated capsule which is sliced and shifted to reveal a brushed brass facia.