Light Art by Eleanor Bell

ELEANOR BELL specialises in providing technical expertise for light art installations across the UK as well as having her own artistic practice.

Eleanor’s work is influenced by minimalism, pattern and rhythm, often using sound as well as light alongside physical elements to engage the onlooker with a sensory experience that not only explores the edges of perception but also crosses the boundaries between design and sculpture.

On using light as a material

Designing with light is Eleanor Bell’s passion. Light is her medium, and to her it is a material that defines and transforms spaces.

In her artistic practice, light becomes the thread that weaves together space, perception and emotion. It is a dynamic material that, despite its intangibility, possesses a profound physicality.

Her installations seek to harness this duality, meticulously creating environments where light interacts with surfaces and volumes in order to evoke a powerful response.

Exploring the transformative power of light

Exploring the transformative power of light lies at the heart of Eleanor Bell’s work. It is not merely an element that illuminates; it is an entity that defines and redefines.

A room bathed in warm, golden hues can evoke a sense of calm and comfort, while the same space, washed in stark, cool light, can feel alien and detached.

This ability to shift moods and perceptions with light is what drives Eleanor’s artistic exploration.

A philosophy of light

Eleanor’s decision to work with light was inspired by renowned artist James Turrell, whose artwork has often focused on light’s properties, perception, and potential. As she explains in her own words;

My journey into the realm of light began with a deep admiration for Turrell's philosophy and practice. His approach to isolating and manipulating light to create spatial experiences resonates deeply with my own desire to explore the boundaries of perception. Like Turrell, I am fascinated by the way light can shape our understanding of the spaces we inhabit. By controlling the intensity, colour, and direction of light, I aim to guide viewers through an immersive experience that challenges their conventional notions of space and reality.

In my installations, light is both a tool and a muse. I am captivated by its ephemeral nature, how it can be both visible and invisible, tangible yet elusive. This paradox is what I strive to capture in my work. Through careful manipulation of light sources, I create compositions that invite viewers to engage with light as a physical presence, encouraging them to see beyond the surface and into the deeper layers of perception.

Ultimately, my work with light is a dialogue between the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknown. It is an exploration of how light can alter our experience of space and time, creating moments of wonder and introspection. By drawing on the legacy of James Turrell and expanding upon it with my own vision, I hope to continue pushing the boundaries of how we perceive and interact with the world through the lens of light.

– Eleanor Bell

Selected Works & Projects

james turrell skyspaceS

balancing contrast

26 flavours

eden wave hub

restless temple

infinity