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Whimsical Wood Chandeliers Resemble Giant Pencil Shavings

By Margherita Cole on November 25, 2022

We don't usually think of pencil shavings as final works of art. But one artist has elevated the humble wooden remnants into creative light fixtures that curl from your ceiling. Based in Japan, Nanako Kume has created a line of chandeliers that resemble giant pencil shavings.

Each piece is executed with precise and minimalist craftsmanship. In most cases, a single wooden shaving compromises the entire design—wrapping around the light source and extending further down in mesmerizing loops. Not only do these sculptural works echo a playful nostalgia for drawing with colored pencils, but they also remark on the beauty of something that is normally tossed away.

“From an early age, I was fascinated by the shape and transience of the shavings produced when sharpening pencils,” Kume tells My Modern Met. “Since it was small and fragile, I thought that I had no choice but to throw it away. However, I could create new value while preserving the beauty of the form by enlarging them.”

To ensure that her lifesize works would resemble the original inspiration, Kume uses a custom large-scale sharpener, which is made in the same way as a normal pencil sharpener. “The details of the shade change depending on the species, colors, and profiles of the woods, and no two pieces are the same.”

You can keep up to date with Kume's latest projects by following the artist on Instagram.