The Rooms Art Fair

Cairn Lights
by Maarten De Ceulaer

The Cairn Lights are inspired by the timeless and universal practice of stacking stones to create ‘cairns’, derived from the Gaelic word ‘càrn’, meaning ‘stone pile’.
Cairns are ancient markers of direction, memory, and spirituality. They were used to mark trails or burial places, to commemorate people, places, or events, and symbolize sacredness and spiritual reverence. Maarten is a passionate traveler, and came across these cairns in many different parts of the world, from Iceland to Nepal. But it was only after a trip through the Spanish Pyrenees in 2023, that he had the idea to use them as a starting point for a series of sculptural lighting objects. He taught himself
the basics of stone carving, and started working on the project, gradually developing his craft. Each Cairn Light is composed of natural stones that appear to be stacked in perfect balance, yet each stone is precisely carved so that one can function as the base and the other as the lampshade. They are reminiscent of mushrooms or mythological creatures that each have their own distinctive identity and soul. Their organic shapes and earthy materials foster a sense of grounding and tranquility, connecting us to the natural world and celebrating nature’s raw beauty. The Cairn Lights reflect the interplay between humanity and nature. By reimagining these ancient constructs as contemporary light objects, these pieces pay homage to their heritage, while inviting
new interpretations in modern living spaces. They become a bridge between past and present, and stand as a symbolic and spiritual beacon.