Originally trained in architecture, Harlem-based artist Luam Melake reimagines the value that functional objects hold in our lives and the roles they play in our relationships. In her practice, Melake oscillates between material research, explorations of form and the production of interactive pieces that encourage social and emotional engagement. Her work is reminiscent of Italian radical design of the 1960s, with luminary figures such as Vernor Panton and Joseph Colombo springing to mind – creators who share her approach of designing for new approaches to interaction. The resulting pieces evoke varied art forms, including paintings, sculptures and furniture.