It’s often said that the dulling of one sense can heighten another. In Tasmanian designer Duncan Meerding’s case, being legally blind has helped enhance his creativity.

Duncan’s furniture and lighting designs are a reflection of his interest in light and its dispersion – being visually impaired means that his vision of light emanates from the peripheries. As a result, his works are highly tactile and create an alternative sensory experience.

Among his handcrafted works are the covetable Cracked Log Lamps, made using salvaged logs that would have otherwise been burnt. Duncan uses the naturally occurring cracks in the logs and vessels for light, attempting to ‘bring the outside in’. The lamps are available as the table/stool light known as the Stump (which creates an effect that appears like the log is glowing from within) as well as the hanging pendant Log Lamp.

Find Duncan’s work locally at Lumen 8 and Artisan.

Photography by Jan Dallas.