Draft:James Russ

Submission declined on 22 June 2025 by Jlwoodwa (talk).

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Declined by Jlwoodwa 3 seconds ago. Last edited by Jlwoodwa 3 seconds ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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James Russ

James Russ is a New Zealand-based lighting designer and sculptor, known for his atmospheric installations that blend industrial design with elemental storytelling. His work spans public commissions, architectural collaborations, and private collections across New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Education

Russ studied design at Nelson College in 1994 before completing a Bachelor of Industrial Design at Victoria University from 1995 to 1998. He began his professional career as a prototype developer at Fisher & Paykel (1998–2002), followed by 14 years as a designer and director at Epsilon Lighting. In 2016, he founded his own practice, James Russ Studio.

Career

Russ’s early works focused on the intersection of light, sculpture, and space. His 2002 pendant light design, Infinity, was first commissioned by Crowne Plaza Auckland and laid the foundation for a portfolio that now includes site-specific installations in hotels, vineyards, private residences, and galleries.

Notable installations include:

Angel Over Me (2008) – a suspended sculpture for Moët & Chandon at New Zealand Fashion Week
Tantalus (2016) – permanent installation at Tantalus Estate Winery, NZ
Sensory (2018–2025) – architectural pendants for Four Points Sheraton Auckland and ASB Bank NZ
Wairua I–IV (2020–2025) – a sculptural series installed in Melbourne, Tara Iti (NZ), London, and Big Sur
Sky Garden (2024) – ballroom centrepiece for the Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland

He was the only New Zealand designer exhibiting at Denfair 2018 in Sydney and has shown work as part of White Night (2016) and the Decade Exhibition (2023) in Christchurch.

Style and Approach

Russ’s design philosophy draws heavily on nature, scale, and emotional resonance. His work often invokes metaphorical relationships between light and memory, using handcrafted elements and mixed materials to convey presence and mood.

Recognition

While Russ has avoided formal awards due to personal experiences, his work has been featured in both New Zealand and international media, including:

*Interior* Magazine (2017) – "Divine Lighting"
*Architecture Now* (2020) – "Behind the Object: Wairua" [1]
*Archipro* (2019) – "Light as Art" [2]
*Hotel Magazine*, *TTGmice*, *Event Organisers*, and *The Art of Business Travel* (2024) – coverage of the Grand Millennium ballroom project
*My Wedding Magazine* (2024) – wedding-focused feature on hotel installations
*Architecture Now* (2020) – coverage of Tantalus project: [3]