Nature Scapes lights, 2022.

Dr Mathieu Gallois’ Nature Scapes lights are principally made from found objects. Most are natural materials like driftwood and stone collected across Australia's south-eastern coastal regions.

These materials have been formed and shaped over very long periods of time by surf, wild, rain and fire.

Some of the driftwood pieces are from forests only found in Tasmania. Woods like Lagarostrobos (Huon Pine) and Phyllocladus Aspleniifolius (Celery Top Pine) that are light and full of natural oils, which gives them bouncy and longevity. This driftwood, driven by ocean currents and wind has travelled great distances to settle on beaches in places like Cape Otway.

Gallois making and designing process involves him spending days walking wild coastal regions with a backpack, finding, sorting and collecting natural objects.

Each Nature Scapes is handmade, bespoke and unique; and each design is a creative response to the forms he has found.

Unlike manufactured materials like concrete, steel and glass, these found natural materials have zero environmental impact.

The light’s lamp-holders are predominately made from ceramics and wood. The upper cords are either cotton or linen fabric cloth cord cable.

The sales of the Gallois’ Nature Scapes helped him pay his bills as he completed his book on the Aboriginal Flag (2021 – 2023). And yes, one of Gallois’ favourite Australian films is the 1976 classic Storm Boy.