Wael Mahmoud, Reclaimed wood shoji lamp (ART & OBJECTS 2025)

Photos:

Wael Mahmoud

Video tour

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCo7V2vslcG/?igsh=MzduanZ0cjc0MDRr

Country

Egypt

This floor lamp is made from old wooden window shutters that I reclaimed and brought back to life. Inspired by the clean lines and soft feel of traditional Japanese shoji screens, I wanted to create something simple, warm, and respectful of the window's history. Most of the work was done by hand using chisels, hand saws, hand planes, and a hand drills. I took my time with each step, letting the wood show me what it wanted to be. The lamp has a height adjustable light and gives off a soft, calming glow through its thin panels. Finding usable wood in the old shutter was one of the hardest parts. It was in very bad shape, cracked, bent, and full of holes. I had to carefully go through each piece, looking for small sections that were still strong and beautiful. Every piece I saved became more valuable because of the effort it took to rescue it. One of the most meaningful parts of this project is how I kept the original outer face of the old shutters untouched. It still shows the cracks, scratches, and nail holes from its previous life. This was my way of honoring the wood’s story and staying true to the Japanese idea of wabi sabi, finding beauty in things that are aged, imperfect, and real. The shutter once blocked light and kept it out. Now, in its new form, it offers light back to the world. That transformation is at the heart of this piece. It speaks of second chances, of seeing old things in a new way, and of how time and care can reveal something quietly beautiful. This piece is not just a lamp. It is a quiet reminder that with patience and respect, even something forgotten can shine again

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.