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The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox
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The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox
What happens when an artist turns lighting designer? Oliver Wilcox's journey from fine arts graduate to founder of the cutting-edge Lost Profile Studio reveals the magic that occurs at the intersection of art and function.
Oliver's story begins with a fortuitous volunteer position at Christopher Boots' lighting studio that evolved into managing production for one of Australia's most innovative lighting designers. But it was during a trip to Paris when everything clicked into place. Standing before a portrait painting in the famed Paris Fleas antique market, Oliver discovered the concept of "profil perdu" – lost profile – a challenging technique where artists capture someone's likeness without showing their face. This became both his studio name and design philosophy: embedding profound meaning into minimal forms.
His latest collection, Carapace, showcases this philosophy brilliantly. Inspired by both antique candle reflectors and turtle shells, these cast metal pieces create ambient light through reflection rather than direct illumination. The collection spans from intimate incense burners to dramatic chandeliers, each piece custom-designed down to the screws. "I wanted to push myself," Oliver explains, detailing how Carapace represents multiple firsts in his design practice.
What truly distinguishes Oliver's work is the tension he creates between seemingly opposing qualities. His pieces are simultaneously brutalist yet delicate, industrial yet elegant. This distinctive approach has earned him representation across Australia, the United States, and Europe, with his third Milan Design Week exhibition cementing his place on the global design stage.
For those fascinated by the creative process or looking to break into international design markets, Oliver's insights on finding exhibition spaces in Milan, building international relationships, and staying true to artistic vision over commercial appeal offer invaluable guidance. Listen now and discover how Australian designers are making serious waves internationally.
Check out Lost Profile Studio's incredible creations at
https://www.instagram.com/lost_profile_studio
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