We spend a considerable portion of our lives positioned behind vehicles—whether as drivers, passengers, or cyclists—and in doing so we repeatedly encounter the intricate lenses that cover vehicle lights. Over time, I became captivated by these lenses: their engineered complexity, their geometric patterns, and the surprising beauty embedded within such utilitarian components. They began to read not merely as protective casings but as sculptural lampshades designed for illumination on the move.

Each Tail Light sculpture is constructed from an assemblage of carefully selected vehicle light lenses, predominantly sourced from trucks, tractors, and trailers. These lenses are grouped according to style, scale, and pattern, then meticulously arranged and fixed to acrylic light boxes, producing forms that evoke robotic or mechanical figures. The series exists in two primary configurations—slim and fat—each with its own distinct posture and character.

Once illuminated, the lenses reveal their full expressive potential. The layered plastics glow with rich, saturated colour, recalling the luminous intensity of stained glass. The pieces transform industrial debris into radiant sculptural objects, elevating everyday automotive fragments into a form of contemporary illuminated iconography.

In 2012, an elegant development of the original design emerged: Tail Light Mk.2. Created on a smaller scale, this variation retained the conceptual core of the series while offering a more versatile format, suitable for placement on the floor or atop a table. Despite its reduced size, Tail Light Mk.2 continues to explore the same compelling interplay between functionality, aesthetics, and the overlooked beauty of engineered light.