NYC studio kawabi draws from east asian lantern-making

kawabi’s ‘vessels of illumination’ debut at colony

Emerging New York-based lighting studio Kawabi has joined Colony, the celebrated design gallery, as part of its roster of independent talents. Founded by Irisa Na and Aaron Kawabi, the studio crafts handmade-to-order lighting fixtures that act as ‘vessels of illumination.’ These pieces draw inspiration from ancestral forms and rituals, blending historical references with contemporary aesthetics. To celebrate this partnership, Colony’s Tribeca gallery is showcasing Kawabi’s debut collections: the Souvenir Collection, the Legume Series, and the Cascade Pendant.

gallery view | image © Thomas Yang Studio

Souvenir Collection

Kawabi’s Souvenir Collection, on view at Colony’s New York gallery, embodies a minimalist yet symbolic approach, featuring shades crafted from pleated kozo paper over a simple architectural frame. Drawing on the imagery of gateways and portals, these designs reflect the studio‘s exploration of objects as spiritual beacons. Inspired by a paper lantern discovered in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Irisa and Aaron adapted traditional East Asian lantern-making techniques to create the collection.

The Souvenir Table Lamp and Souvenir Floor Lamp demonstrates Kawabi’s attention to materiality, combining American walnut, rattan, and kozo paper. Unique details, such as a live-edge wood cross beam and a brass pendulum touch switch on the floor lamp, elevate the collection. These pieces are designed to transform light into a central, sacred focal point.

Cascade Pendant | image © Kawabi

Legume Lamp

Inspired by rituals of food offerings, the Legume Lamp captures the essence of remembrance and gratitude. Shaped like a seed pod, its organic curves echo familial and cultural traditions of honoring ancestors. The lamp’s base borrows from trays traditionally used in religious ceremonies to present offerings such as fruits or rice, creating a sense of formality and reverence.

Crafted from white oak, kozo paper, and rattan, this design bridges everyday rituals with timeless aesthetics. As Aaron and Irisa explain, ‘We wanted to create a piece that resonates deeply with the past, while still feeling relevant in contemporary spaces.’

gallery view | image © Thomas Yang Studio

Cascade Pendant

The Cascade Pendant reflects the cascading beauty of kengai bonsai arrangements, where branches grow downward in an intentional, asymmetric flow. Similarly, Kawabi’s sculptural fixture alternates forms to create a visually engaging design from every angle. Made from white oak, kozo paper, and rattan, the Cascade Pendant embodies harmony between material and concept.

‘This pendant represents our desire to integrate natural movement into our lighting,’ says Irisa. ‘Its organic lines and suspended elements invite viewers to engage with it from multiple perspectives.’

gallery view | image © Thomas Yang Studio

Kawabi’s ethos is rooted in love and cooperation, both in their creative process and in their designs. ‘When we made our first light together, we knew instantly that it was the perfect medium to carry out an intention of resonance and attunement,’ say the studio founders. ‘That light became the seed of our opening collection with Colony, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share it through their thoughtful curation.‘

Jean Lin, founder of Colony, praised the studio’s innovative vision: ‘Irisa and Aaron’s ability to draw from traditional Asian iconography and create designs that feel contemporary and fresh is remarkable. Kawabi is one of the most exciting new design voices to enter our market, and I’m looking forward to sharing their work with our audience.’

gallery view | image © Bjorn Pozza