Illuminating art, preserving masterpieces: How ERCO lighting transformed Woosee Gallery

Woosee Gallery itself is a unique space that beautifully blends the spirit of Chinese ink art and refined tea culture. Named after wu-se - referring to both the five tones of ink and the exquisite zisha teapot clay - Woosee showcases contemporary art, particularly by Dr. Allison Liu, alongside master-crafted zisha teapots and rare Pu'er teas. It serves as a cultural hub for exhibitions, tea appreciation, and art-related events. Given this deep commitment to preserving and presenting art and cultural artefacts, the choice of lighting was paramount.

The initial challenge: heat, fading, and visual clutter

Before their collaboration with ERCO, Dr. Liu and Ken wrestled with significant lighting issues. The gallery's journey began in a secluded office space, and even after moving to a retail lot in a bustling shopping mall, foot traffic did not significantly increase. Their existing lighting setup generated excessive heat, a detrimental factor for delicate artworks and sensitive zisha teapots, and alarmingly, they noticed their art was beginning to fade in color - a heart-wrenching discovery for any gallerist.

Beyond the physical damage, the visual presentation suffered. A lack of consideration for appropriate beam angles resulted in a crowded feel on the walls, with distracting light scallops that pulled focus away from the art itself. The gallery's entrance was equally unassuming, with lighting only reaching the top of the wall, making the entire storefront recede into the background.

ERCO's Solution: precision, preservation, and presence

ERCO stepped in with a holistic approach, addressing both the practical and aesthetic concerns. The primary concern of heat and fading was immediately tackled with ERCO's commitment to cool, UV-free illumination, ensuring the long-term preservation of Woosee Gallery's collection, including Dr. Liu's nuanced ink paintings and the delicate glazes of the zisha teapots.

A crucial part of this process involved mock-ups done by the local ERCO team. These demonstrations vividly showcased the superior effect of ERCO's lighting on Woosee Gallery's art compared to their previous setup. Furthermore, ERCO conducted a dedicated education session, empowering Dr. Liu and Ken with valuable knowledge about light for art, explaining concepts like beam angles and color temperature.

Bringing art into focus: The power of Parscan OnTrack

For the gallery's interior, the Parscan OnTrack system was the chosen solution. This versatile lighting tool, with its ability to offer a range of light distributions from spot to flood, wide flood, oval flood, and wallwash, allowed for meticulous tailoring of light to each artwork. This eliminated the previous scallop effect, ensuring that each piece was individually highlighted and free from visual distractions. The result? A clear, focused presentation where the art truly takes center stage. On some works, the precise spotlighting illuminates a specific part of the artwork, while ambient light subtly highlights the rest, creating a compelling visual hierarchy that guides the viewer's eye.

A key advantage of the Parscan OnTrack is its inherent flexibility. The ability to add filters or switch out to other lenses, such as a framer, provides Woosee Gallery with future-proofing for exhibits of sensitive artworks that might require specific, controlled illumination, perfectly aligning with the gallery's dynamic exhibition schedule.

Lighting in detail: highlighting form and texture

Within Woosee Gallery, the exquisite zisha teapots are presented with careful consideration. While many are gently illuminated by ambient LED strips, contributing to the gallery's serene atmosphere, a particularly special focus is given to select pieces on a dedicated shelf. Here, ERCO's Parscan OnTrack spotlights demonstrate their unparalleled ability to bring out the finest details.

Given the ceramic and often subtly reflective nature of zisha teapots, careful aiming of the spotlights was paramount. ERCO's precision allowed for meticulous glare control, ensuring that the unique texture, the nuanced colors of the clay, and the intricate craftsmanship of these master-crafted teapots are revealed without distracting reflections. The spotlights pick up the subtle glazes, the delicate contours, and the rich, earthy tones, allowing visitors to truly appreciate the artistry of each piece. This deliberate use of focused light ensures that the teapots are not merely lit, but truly brought to life, inviting closer inspection and deeper appreciation of their form and spirit.

Creating a welcoming entrance: wallwashing for impact

The transformation extended to the gallery's storefront. Recognizing the importance of a captivating first impression, especially after the move to a retail lot, ERCO proposed wallwashing the shopfront walls. This strategic lighting decision dramatically changed the perception of the entrance, creating a visual impression that now intrigues patrons visiting Mandarin Gallery, drawing them in with curiosity to discover the unique blend of art and tea culture within Woosee Gallery.

The Woosee Gallery experience: art preserved, art celebrated

Today, Woosee Gallery stands as a testament to the transformative power of quality art lighting. Dr. Allison Liu and Ken no longer worry about their art fading or the gallery feeling visually cluttered. Instead, visitors are greeted by a space where every artwork is beautifully illuminated, its colors vibrant, and its details exquisitely revealed. ERCO has not just provided light; they have provided a silent guardian for masterpieces and an enhanced experience for every art enthusiast who steps through Woosee Gallery's doors, significantly contributing to the gallery's newfound presence and appeal within the bustling Mandarin Gallery.

Are you looking to elevate the presentation and preservation of your own art collection or gallery space? Find out more about future-proof and high quality lighting for commercial galleries.