Francesca Anfossi: Ceramics in a New Light
Francesca Anfossi’s sculptural lamps blend painterly surfaces, Italian craft, and contemporary design.
In an era where craft, design, and art increasingly intersect, London-based artist and ceramicist Francesca Anfossi continues to stand out for her ability to merge deeply rooted craftsmanship with expressive visual experimentation. Following their debut at County Hall Pottery’s ongoing exhibition Collaborative, Anfossi’s new series of ceramic lighting pieces marks an exciting evolution in her practice—one that celebrates the tactile nature of clay while elevating functional objects into sculptural works of art.
Her latest collection introduces three bespoke designs: Helianthus Lamp, Gum Lamp, and Mother. Each piece blends hand-formed ceramic elements with handblown glass and carefully assembled electrical components, creating a dialogue between materiality, illumination, and form. More than simply sources of light, the works act as standalone objects that invite the viewer to engage with craftsmanship, surface, and colour in a uniquely intimate way.
Craft Meets Colour: A Painter’s Approach to Clay
Anfossi’s ceramic lighting reflects her long-standing practice at the intersection of painting, ceramics, and domestic design. Trained as a painter before immersing herself in clay, she brings a distinctly painterly sensibility to her ceramic surfaces. Her process often involves overlapping slips and glazes, allowing matte and glossy finishes to coexist across the same form. These contrasts, she explains, “create spatial illusions” that give depth and dynamism to each piece. Subtle transparencies emerge where layers meet, drawing the eye across shifting tones and textures.
This approach to surface treatment echoes the tactile immediacy of collage—another recurring motif in Anfossi’s work. Through layered patterns and a warm, bright colour palette, she creates compositions that feel both spontaneous and intentional. The pieces retain the energy of hand-made craft while embracing the visual language of contemporary art.
Function as an Expression of Connection
For Anfossi, functionality is not a limitation but a starting point for broader exploration. While her ceramic lights are fully operational by design, she considers them equally as art objects capable of shaping atmosphere and experience. “Making functional ceramics is an important part of my practice,” she notes. “It’s about creating a space where shared experiences can form.”
Her work naturally gravitates toward objects that live in domestic or social environments—spaces where touch, light, and interaction become central to their meaning. In this context, the new lighting series bridges the gap between the decorative and the utilitarian, positioning craft as a vessel for connection.
Gum Lamp - Photography: Reinis Lismanis
Honouring Tradition Through Contemporary Craft
Anfossi’s process is deeply rooted in her Italian heritage, drawing from a cultural landscape where craft traditions continue to thrive. “I come from Italy, where craft traditions are a vital part of our cultural heritage,” she reflects. “Working with clay feels like a natural extension of that legacy. It’s tactile and direct—humble, yet capable of incredible refinement. The process slows me down and shapes how the final work emerges.”
This respect for tradition meets a spirit of experimentation in every piece. Her ceramic forms carry the warmth of handmade craft yet remain strikingly contemporary, merging refined craftsmanship with a sense of play and discovery.
Left: Helianthus Lamp / Right: Mother Lamp - Photography: Patrick Young
The Works: Helianthus, Gum, and Mother
Each piece in the new series is made to order, ensuring that every lamp reflects Anfossi’s hands-on approach and the individuality inherent in craft. The three designs include:
Helianthus Lamp
75 cm height x 28 cm diameter
A radiant form that echoes the structure of a sunflower, celebrating organic geometry and luminous colour.
Gum Lamp
65 cm height x 20 cm diameter
Playful and unexpected, its sculptural form embraces a sense of motion and material curiosity.
Mother
73 cm height x 22 cm diameter
A nurturing, enveloping design that pairs soft contours with layered, painterly surfaces.
Each lamp is priced at £5,000 and is available to purchase through Anfossi’s website, reinforcing her commitment to producing collectible, artist-made design pieces.
Where to See the Collection
Collectors and craft enthusiasts will soon be able to experience the new lighting series in person at the SupaStore Yes! exhibition, held at 12 Hammersmith Grove from 6 December 2025 to 30 May 2026. The show provides an ideal context for Anfossi’s work—an environment that celebrates boundary-pushing craft and contemporary design while highlighting the role of handmade objects in today’s creative landscape.
For more information or to purchase the pieces, visit: francescaanfossi.com
