Luam Melake
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.
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.
Meet the Maker:
Luam Melake
Luam Melake is best known for her work in polyurethane foam to create geometric silhouettes, both as furniture and objects. To bring her concepts to life, Melake shapes the foam and then applies thin layers of an industrial urethane coating to form a durable skin that functions like an exoskeleton. Translucent dyes deliver the finishing touches, creating painterly effects and dimensional colour that enhance the sculptural composition of the works.