Neighbourhood Studio
Lucas Wearne started Neighbourhood Studio after seeing a shift in appreciation for hand-sculpted artworks.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Lucas Wearne
A classic Neighbourhood Studio piece is complete with soft curves carved from limestone; some exist as simple sculptures, others with a circular globe transforming them into lamps. Sculptor Lucas Wearne nurtures his designs into geometric shapes, taking inspiration from art, architecture, and the natural landscape.
Neighbourhood Studio is a Melbourne-based, small operation, and Lucas loves that he’s been able to keep everything local. “I run my practice completely alone, so a typical day for me can be really busy and varied!” he shares. However, his favourite part of the day (outside working on his creations) is meeting the buyers. “I love that I get to meet some of my customers and see where my pieces are going!
Alongside the geometric master, Picasso, Lucas also credits modernist artist Isamu Noguchi and dada sculptor Hans Arp as inspiration. “But I still like to keep a pretty open mind, allowing myself to be influenced by other, sometimes less obvious sources,” he adds. “I'm often just as inspired by a body of work regardless of whether I like it or not, so maybe it’s not so much inspiration as motivation.”
“I often find other artists productivity very inspiring, whether it be through an exhibition, a film or music, I'm often just as inspired by a body of work regardless of whether I like it or not,” shares Lucas Wearne.
“I feel like I’ve witnessed a shift recently with a growing appreciation for the handmade, for meaningful pieces that enable a personal attachment.”
“I've learned to accept that the process of carving stone - one that has been formed by the solidification of marine fossils over millennia - often requires you to pivot quickly,” shares Lucas Wearne.
Limestone vessels from the Neighbourhood Studio collection.
A recent En Gold X Neighbourhood Studio collaboration. Photo and Styling - En Gold.
The artist first began his design career in landscape architecture, sharing that the treatment and arrangement of material, scale and form in the natural world still impacts the physical qualities of his work. Lucas uses his experience in jewellery and furniture in his practice today, yet, transitioning to limestone has altered the way the artist works. "I think the shift in mediums and ideas around how each can act or be acted upon has enabled me to push creatively into more experimental forms which has been really exciting,” he continues.
While there was a similar process working with metal and wood, limestone comes with its own set of challenges as a material, that is equally rewarding. Lucas begins by sketching his designs before moving onto the sculptures; however, he embraces the "dramatic" variation with colour, texture and density. "You definitely have to be flexible with it!"
“That unpredictability of working with natural mediums is what makes them so special.”
Creating uniquely crafted pieces fulfils Lucas' desire to produce quality objects that will last, and in doing so, reject unsustainable practices. "Moving forward I hope we will continue this trend, where we’re only consuming things that can offer more than a superficial engagement," he adds. "Extending the shelf life of our consumption by carefully curating the pieces we surround ourselves with.”
A collection of Lucas Wearne’s wonderful sculptures in the making for Neighbourhood Studio.
A collection of vessels from the Neighbourhood Studio collection.
Totem Orb Lamp II designed by Lucas Wearne for Neighbourhood Studio.
The Picasso Lamp (pictured centre) designed by Lucas Wearne.